Nelson Cruz is day-to-day for Orioles after HBP

As far as immediate impact, the Orioles appear to have evaded the worst possible news regarding their best hitter. The phrase ‘day-to-day’ means that, for sure, Nelson Cruz will need to rest. It might just prolong an inevitable situation.

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In the top of the third on Sunday against Scott Feldman and the Houston Astros, Baltimore medical staff had to head towards Cruz as he screamed in pain and crouched near the batter’s box. The slugger was holding his hand after being drilled by an 87 miles per hour fastball from Feldman. The ball ricocheted high and away, showing that it hit pretty solidly. Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com reports that initial X-Rays came back negative and that Cruz had his hand wrapped after the game.

The right-handed slugger, a bargain free agent acquisition late in the off-season by the Orioles, was coming off of a game on Saturday in which he crushed his 20th home run and also drove in his 52nd RBI. The twenty home runs leads the Major Leagues and the 52 RBI through May is an Orioles’ team record.

Feldman says that he didn’t intend to hit his former teammate and, in fact, checked up on Cruz after the game. Both players called it an unfortunate result of trying to pitch up and in to a good hitter. The Orioles have Monday off before they travel to Texas, Cruz’ old stomping grounds, to open up a series against the Rangers. Cruz will see how the hand feels on Monday and Tuesday before making a decision on whether to play in the opener.