MLB notebook: Twins' hot-hitting Cruz lands on IL

[August 10, 2019]  Minnesota Twins slugger Nelson Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, one day after he sprained his left wrist.

The 39-year-old designated hitter sustained the injury in the fourth inning of a 7-5 loss to the visiting Cleveland Indians in the opener of a key four-game series in the American League Central.

Cruz grimaced in pain after swinging and missing on a 2-1 fastball from Mike Clevinger. Cruz had been on a hot streak, with 13 home runs in his past 16 games. He is batting .333 with 16 home runs and 30 RBIs in 25 games since the All-Star break.

Cruz's 32 homers were second in the AL entering the Friday night action. Cruz was second in the AL in slugging percentage (.650) and OPS (1.035). He is hitting .294 with 76 RBIs in 87 games, having missed 19 contests earlier this season after injuring the same wrist May 12.

--Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said he reached the "breaking point" that led to his outburst directed at manager Brandon Hyde in the dugout during Wednesday night's game.

"I think it's pretty obvious the offensive struggles I've had for quite some time," Davis said Friday.

"I feel like night in and night out, I've done a real good job of still being there on defense and trying to pick guys up, and at that spot in the game, at that point in the series, that was kind of where it all ... like I said, I hit a breaking point."

--The Detroit Tigers released veteran infielder Josh Harrison after reinstating him from the 60-day injured list.

A shoulder sprain and a hamstring injury that required surgery sidelined Harrison, 32, for most of the season. He made 34 starts at second base and batted .176 (24-for-136), with seven doubles, a triple, a home run and eight RBIs.

In other moves, the Tigers released right-hander Sandy Baez to make room on their 40-man roster for veteran right-hander Edwin Jackson, who was scheduled to start against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.

Minnesota Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Ben Ludeman-USA TODAY Sports

--Joe Panik apparently landed on his feet with the New York Mets after being designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants.

According to multiple reports, the 28-year-old second baseman will join the Mets. His availability comes at an opportune time for New York, which placed second baseman Robinson Cano on the injured list with a torn hamstring. It's likely Cano will be out for the rest of the season.

Panik, a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner, hit a career-low .235 with three home runs and 27 RBIs in 103 games for the Giants this year. It will be a homecoming for Panik, a native New Yorker who played at St. John's.

--A fan accused of making racist comments and derogatory gestures at a Hispanic family was banned by the Texas Rangers for an indefinite number of future home games.

In a Facebook post shortly after the Rangers played the Detroit Tigers on Saturday at Globe Life Park, fan Jessica Romero pointed out that the man "made it perfectly clear during the second inning that he is not a fan of Hispanics."

--Field Level Media

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