Nelson Cruz returns from the IL; Arraez returned to Rochester

After being sidelined with a left wrist strain since after the May 12 game at home against the Detroit Tigers, designated hitter Nelson Cruz is in full health and has returned to the 25-man roster in time for the series against the Cleveland Indians in Cleveland on Tuesday. The Minnesota Twins announced this move early on Monday morning via Twitter.

Cruz was still on the 25-man roster for five days after he suffered his injury before the Twins put him on the 10-day Injured List on May 17. The six-time All-Star was batting .270/.354/.508 with seven homers and 22 RBI, complimenting a current 0.7 bWAR. He seemed to have traveled with the team during most of his time on the IL, and while the Twins were playing the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend in Florida, Cruz saw some action with the Fort Myers Miracle, the Twins’ class-A+ farm team. He went 2-for-7 with three strikeouts. “Boomstick” should fit right into the lineup again and continue to add to the Twins offense.

In the corresponding move, utility infielder Luis Arraez was optioned back down to the AAA Rochester Red Wings. He got into ten games with the big-league club, impressing fans with a .375/.467/.583 slash. Arraez was able to hit his first major-league homer and notch three RBI along with maintaining a four-game hitting streak and a six-game on-base streak. He was able to see time at second base, third base, shortstop, and even a couple games as the DH, being charged with only one error. The Twins will most certainly rely on Arraez if a utility infielder is needed again this season.