Nelson Cruz ready to rejoin Rangers

Cruz did an interview with Nightengale, his first extensive interview since receiving a 50-game suspension for his involvement with Biogenesis. He talked with the reporter about watching the Rangers collapse during the final month of the season, stating:

“It’s so hard, you can’t explain it in words. There’s nothing worse than seeing your teammates battle knowing you can’t help. I’m not even on the bench or even around. I try to text them and stuff and try to motivate the best I can. There’s nothing else I can do.”

Texas has a 5-15 record in September, and have averaged 3.35 runs per game. Cruz will shoulder much of the blame if the team fails to reach the postseason, since he indicated to Rangers general manager Jon Daniels that he would appeal the suspension and continue to play.

The outfielder discussed making his decision to accept the ban, telling Nightengale:

“My first thought was to appeal, and right up to the last day I told (the Rangers) my decision was to appeal. That was my plan. It’s hard to explain it, but at the end it wasn’t my decision. It wasn’t what I wanted to do. It came out of my hands.”

Cruz is currently at the Rangers instructional camp, where he has played nine games. He says that he is getting his timing back, and has spent some time in left field to prepare for a possible position change. Texas has not publicly stated if they will bring back Cruz for a potential playoff run, but Cruz believes that they will.

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