Padres give veteran slugger Nelson Cruz assignment designation

San Diego Padres designate veteran slugger Nelson Cruz for assignment.

In a surprising turn of events, even a seasoned seven-time All-Star like Nelson Cruz can find himself designated for assignment. The struggling San Diego Padres made the decision to designate the 43-year-old veteran slugger on Tuesday. Despite signing a $1 million one-year contract in the offseason, Cruz was not meeting expectations with a batting average of .245 and an on-base percentage of .283. He had managed to hit five home runs and drive in 23 RBIs.

San Diego manager Bob Melvin acknowledged that it was a difficult choice to designate Cruz, as he had been a respected leader in the clubhouse. Melvin praised Cruz for his impact on and off the field, highlighting his leadership qualities and the respect he garnered across the league. However, the decision ultimately came down to the team's need for versatility. With both Cruz and Matt Carpenter primarily serving as designated hitters, the Padres needed to provide more flexibility by allowing other players to rest and incorporating a pinch runner when necessary. Thus, the decision to designate Cruz was made.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Cruz's future, the Padres managed to secure an 8-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. The game saw the Padres score five runs in five innings off pitcher Shohei Ohtani, who later left the game due to a blister on the middle finger of his right hand. Ohtani confirmed that he would not be pitching in the upcoming All-Star Game but expressed his intention to continue hitting.

This injury to Ohtani adds to the Padres' woes, as they recently placed Mike Trout on the injured list due to a fracture in his left hand. Trout's absence could potentially extend beyond a month, but he remains hopeful of returning before the end of the season. The Padres will undoubtedly face challenges in the absence of both Cruz and Trout, but they remain determined to overcome these obstacles and continue their pursuit of success.