SEATTLE -- Nelson Cruz's stop-and-start season was back on hold Sunday as the Mariners' designated hitter sat out the series finale against the Tigers with a sore elbow after getting hit by a pitch in Saturday's 7-2 win.
Cruz has been hit by pitches three times in his last 11 plate appearances. He missed games on Wednesday and Thursday with a bruised right foot after getting plunked on Tuesday against Texas and now is ailing again after being hit in Saturday's game by an 89 mph Mike Fiers fastball.
Cruz didn't come out of Saturday's contest, but is now 0-for-7 with four strikeouts and one walk over his last three outings.