Mariners give Cruz time to rest ailing hand

ARLINGTON — A Mariners team that has struggled against left-handed starters can’t afford to be without right-handed slugger Nelson Cruz for long, but the Mariners’ designated hitter was forced to sit out Tuesday’s game against the Rangers due to a nerve issue in his left hand that is affecting his grip.

Manager Scott Servais said Cruz hurt the hand on a checked swing in Sunday’s loss at the White Sox. He stayed in that game and tried to play through it again on Monday, but went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a loss to the Rangers.

X-rays and an MRI showed no damage to the bones in Cruz’s hand, but Servais said a pinched nerve or something is limiting the feeling in Cruz’s fingers and his ability to hold the bat tightly.

“I just think instead of trying to grind through it and aggravate and maybe make it worse, let’s give it a day to calm down,” Servais said. “He’s on some strong medication. It’s inflamed. You can ice it all you want, but especially when it’s something in your hands when you’re a hitter, it’s a pretty big deal. So I don’t want to mess with it.”

Cruz is hitting .280 with 32 home runs and 79 RBIs, and his right-handed presence helps balance a lineup that is decidedly lefty-leaning. The Mariners entered Tuesday 20-28 against left-handed starters compared to 48-35 vs. right-handers, and they were slated to face southpaws Cole Hamels on Tuesday and Martin Perez on Wednesday.

“It’s hard not to have him in the four-hole, but …

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