" They said they need an individual like me in the schedule, " Nelson Cruz told press reporters after authorizing a 1-year/$ 15M free agent take care of the Washington Nationals this past March. Cruz, who turned 42 in July, was authorized to provide appear the center of the Nats' lineup, and he brought a lot of experience to a relatively young club which was predestined to obtain more youthful as the period took place, and the expectation was they could turn him to a competitor at the profession target date if the Nationals weren't in contention in very early had a hard time, nevertheless, setting up a. 234/.313/.337 line, 16 doubles, and 10 home runs in 124 video games and 507 plate appearances in his 18th major league campaign, which finished in mid-September, when he was closed down with inflammation in his eye which ultimately needed a medical solution. Image by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images When the August 2nd trade due date came and went and Cruz wasn't dealt, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo clarified there wasn't an adequate offer to convince him to deal the expert DH. "Nelly Cruz is such a mentor and such a presence in the clubhouse, particularly with our more youthful Latin gamers that I wasn't simply gon na give him away for absolutely nothing simply to go on, " Rizzo informed 106.7 the FAN in D.C.'s Sports Junkies this previous August 3rd. "He likes it below. He wished to be right here. He's a terrific teammate and leader in the clubhouse. So we really did not obtain the level of possibility that we wanted for him, so we maintained him." Cruz played 30 video games after the due date and prior to he wound up on the IL, with a. 240/.308/.308 line, a double Nationals Shorts, and 2 crowning achievement prior to his season ended with the eye concern. Supervisor Davey Martinez was really hoping till the last video game he could get Cruz back in there before the end, however it didn't work on the final day of the routine period, Martinez stated the experience of taking care of Cruz wound up being a wonderful by Alika Jenner/Getty Images "He's amazing, he actually is, " Martinez informed press reporters. "I mean, you think of him and you believe regarding the individual that I expanded up idolizing in Roberto Clemente, right? A great deal of resemblances there, really. He's been outstanding. Not just on the ball park, yet off the field, mentor young gamers in the club, educating them just how to act in the club. He's been every one of that. I was honored to have him. We'll see what the future [holds for him. I indicate, like I claimed, I seem like he still intends to play. So if he can take care of that eye, I think he still can play. I suggest he keeps himself in great shape." Though the on-field production had not been what the Nationals wished for when the club signed him, Martinez said Cruz was all they hoped for in the clubhouse. "It was absolutely incredible, it really was, " the manager clarified. "And I leaned on those people [professionals on the lineup for a whole lot of various points, to communicate some messages. They did it truly well. And I always inform those guys, 'Hey, I do not know how much time you're going to play or what you're going to do in the future, however I believe you'll always have some type of position in baseball if you truly desire it, whether mentoring MacKenzie Gore Shorts, or clearly, you understand, Nelson is a GM, is going to be a GM for the Globe Baseball Standard team, so there's numerous, numerous chances after you play to do different points." Nelson Cruz is scheduled for surgical procedure on left eye end of Oct. Swelling remains in inner corner, treatment to get rid of added skin obstructing his vision. Expects to resume baseball activities 6-8 weeks. He claimed, "Vision is whatever for hitters. Yet the great point is, it can be repaired."-- Jessica Camerato October 5, 2022Cruz told 's Jessica Camerato on the final day of the regular season he was set up to have surgical procedure on his eye." That would certainly be lovely to begin seeing the baseball once more. Vision is everything for hitters, " Cruz informed the reporter. "Yet the advantage is, it can be taken care of.""' You can only see plainly with the right eye, '" he clarified. "' When I close this one, it's unclear. I require my eyes to be sharp, to be able to see the round, especially see rotates.' Price quotes [it influenced him for virtually 1.5 yrs, worsened recently."