Cruz in rarefied territory for M’s
Right fielder Nelson Cruz carries a 21-game hitting streak into today’s game, which marks a career high and is the longest active streak in the majors.
Cruz is batting .411 in his streak with 37 hits in 90 at-bats. He also has 13 homers and 17 RBIs.
Just two other players have hitting streaks this season of at least 20 games.
Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had a 21-game run from June 15 to July 9 earlier this year while playing for Colorado. Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis went 20 games from June 3-26.
Cruz’s streak is the longest by a Mariner since Mike Carp had a 20-game run from July 30 to Aug. 21, 2011. The Mariners have 14 hitting streaks of 20 or more games, by eight different players, in their 38-year history.
The club record is 27 by Ichiro Suzuki from May 6 to June 3 in 2009. He was 47 for 118 in that span for a .398 average. Suzuki has seven of the franchise’s 14 streaks of 20 games or more.
While the Mariners refuse to call it a setback, lefty reliever Charlie Furbush still isn’t ready to depart in a minor-league rehab assignment after throwing 40 pitches Monday in his latest bullpen workout.
“It’s been much better,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He’s getting loose a lot quicker and with a lot less effort. We’ve just got to get to the point where it’s instant. In the bullpen, you don’t have time to get warm. He’s real close.”
Furbush was diagnosed with biceps tendonitis after a July 7 appearance against Detroit. He continued to report a pinch, albeit diminished, in his biceps as he began testing his recovery with a series of bullpen workouts that began July 28.
McClendon said Furbush won’t depart on a rehab assignment until he shows no symptoms. Once he does head to the minors, Furbush is expected to make only one or two appearances before returning to active duty.
“He will do another bullpen Saturday in Boston,” McClendon said. “We’ll see where he is. Hopefully, this will be the one. He got better. He’s still progressing. Almost there.”
Furbush was 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 33 games prior to his injury and had retired all 16 of his inherited runners.
Clearing the bases
Doug Melvin is leaving his job as general manager of the Brewers. The team and Melvin announced the move Tuesday on Twitter. He will continue to lead the team’s baseball operations department before “transitioning into an advisory role.” … Miguel Cabrera could be activated from the disabled list this weekend by the Tigers after taking batting practice and running the bases Tuesday. … The Marlins placed right-handed ace Jose Fernandez on the 15-day DL because of a right bicep strain. … The Giants placed center fielder Angel Pagan on the 15-day DL with patella tendinitis in his right knee. … Bryce Harper was out of the Nationals’ starting lineup against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The outfielder banged his left knee while making a sliding catch in the third inning of the Nationals’ 8-3 victory Monday night, but stayed in the game.