Share Video
Link copied!
Cruz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.
Cruz had started at designated hitter in five of the previous seven games, but four came versus left-handed pitchers and the other came against a right-handed opener in Ryan Walker, who worked just one inning for the Giants that day. Now on the bench for the second straight game versus a right-hander (Luis Ortiz) after he sat out against righty Mitch Keller on Wednesday, Cruz still appears to be stuck in the short-side platoon role at designated hitter that he's handled all season. While Matt Carpenter has lost hold of the strong-side role due to his ongoing struggles at the plate, the Padres have turned to another left-handed hitter in Rougned Odor to replace him.
