You probably know who Nelson Cruz is http://www.metsfanproshop.com/authentic-tim-tebow-jersey , but do you REALLY know who Nelson Cruz is?" ReportSatire, Irreverence, & Other HumorGame RecapsNewsTen fun facts about newest Twin Nelson CruzNew,23commentsYou probably know who Nelson Cruz is, but do you REALLY know who Nelson Cruz is?for a few days in spring training.Cruz’s routine include mobility training, corrective exercises, soft tissue work, stretching, lifting weights, running, hitting, field work (even when DHing), sleep, and nutrition. The dude brings his own pre-planned meals to the clubhouse and won’t even eat rice in the offseason.3. Nelson Cruz’s favorite food is riceListen to how much Cruz talks about rice in this interview.Damn.4. Nelson Cruz hit his first home run against the TwinsCruz was a big of a late-bloomer in baseball, hitting the first of his career 360 home runs in 2006 when he was 26 years old. Turns out that first dinger came off the Twins’ very own Willie Eyre! You remember Willie, right? 5. Nelson Cruz’s first love was basketballPart of the reason Cruz was a late bloomer in baseball is that while growing up in the Dominican Republic — known for it’s strong love of baseball — Nelson Cruz was actually more into basketball. He idolized Michael Jordan and even became one of the top junior players in the country Juan Lagares Jersey , but later realized he would never be able to make a career out of the sport and turned to baseball. It took Cruz several seasons in the Dominican League to catch up with his peers in the sport.6. Nelson Cruz’s favorite baseball player growing up was Vladimir GuerreroCruz also names Twinkie Town legend Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa among his favorite baseball players, but insists that Hall of Famer and fellow country-man Vlad was his baseball hero. Imagine Cruz’s excitement when Vlad signed with the Rangers in 2010 and invited Cruz over his house to eat! He called Vlad extremely humble.Bet they even ate rice.7. Nelson Cruz would rather be covered in all hair than have no hair at allHis idea behind this is that he could shave it off, but he couldn’t do anything about having no hair.I’m not kidding.8. Nelson Cruz recently became a US citizenDespite having played professional baseball in the United States since 2001, Nelson Cruz only became an official US citizen last October. Nelson’s wife and two kids were already US citizens, so it made sense for him to take the plunge too. Plus, it sounds like he was looking forward to voting in November.Cruz reportedly lives in New York City during the offseason.9. Nelson Cruz was suspended for PEDs in the 2013 Biogenesis scandalRemember back in 2013 when a bunch of baseball players were suspended because of a PED scandal involving a clinic in Miami? Like, when Alex Rodriguez went berserk denying he was involved and sued everyone including the Yankees, MLB, and Bud Selig? Nelson Cruz was part of that. He just accepted his 50 game suspension, though. Later on, Cruz called taking PEDs a “mistake” he made after a contracting a parasite over the offseason that caused him to lose 40 pounds.Fun, huh?10. Firefighters? Nelson Cruz loves ‘emNelson Cruz has been very supportive of the firefighters from his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic. Back in 2012, Cruz bought then a fire truck, and later on in Seattle, he coordinated with firefighters there to donate extra supplies to firefighters back home.Cruz’s support of firefighters isn’t just random. “It made me realize how bad we needed a fire truck when one of my good friends lost his house because we didn’t have any vehicle to provide water to extinguish the fire. Since that day I was committed to find a fire truck and buy it and make sure we have what we need,” Cruz explained to The Mariners Blog.11. Nelson Cruz is ready to join the Twins (BONUS FACT!)The Twins were obviously not the only team showing interest in Cruz. The Rays Travis d'Arnaud Jersey , Astros, White Sox, and others reportedly showed interest in Cruz this offseason, but he ultimately chose the Twins in what seems like a pretty team-friendly deal.Just in case there was any doubt, Cruz changed his Twitter profile pic earlier today.Do you have any other fun facts about Nelson Cruz? Share below (especially if you are actually Nelson Cruz himself!) HOUSTON — The trade deadline additions of right-handers Ryan Pressly and Roberto Osuna, coupled with the sudden emergence of rookie right-hander Josh James, have provided Astros manager A.J. Hinch with options regarding how he wants to structure his bullpen for the stretch run.With Pressly emerging as a valuable setup option for Osuna, bullpen roles have changed for the Astros (92-55). Veteran right-handers Collin McHugh and Hector Rondon, saddled with the decision in a 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, continue to work high-leverage innings, and James was thrown into the mix during the Astros’ recently-completed road trip.The Astros are bloated with solid right-handed relievers, meaning the final two weeks of the season might serve as an audition for veterans aiming to secure a spot on the postseason roster, should the Astros make the playoffs.Article continues below ...“What Pressly has done, he’s pushing everybody around,” Hinch said. “What Osuna has done, he made his mark as the closer. Josh James now factors in. You stay true to your guys as much as you can Noah Syndergaard Jersey , but yet I owe it to the entire team, an entire organization, to adapt and adjust.”Astros right-hander Charlie Morton (14-3, 3.15 ERA) will start on Saturday against Arizona. In his first start off the 10-day disabled list, Morton limited Boston to two runs on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts over five innings in a 5-3 win on Sept. 8. He allowed three runs on three hits and four walks with three strikeouts over five innings in a 4-3 loss at Arizona on May 5 and is 4-1 with a 3.77 ERA over eight starts against the Diamondbacks (78-70).Right-hander Zack Godley (14-9, 4.67 ERA) will make his first career appearance against the Astros on Saturday. He has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his last nine road starts since June 10, going 6-1 with a 4.18 ERA while surrendering 24 earned runs over 51 2/3 innings.Arizona right-hander Clay Buchholz will be shut down for the remainder of the season after suffering a flexor strain in his elbow while warming up on Thursday in Colorado. Buchholz, limited to two starts last season with Philadelphia after dealing with the same injury, was scratched against the Rockies. A decision on a course of treatment for the injury is pending.Buchholz (7-2, 2.01 ERA over 16 starts) had pitched exceptionally well after signing with the Diamondbacks as a free agent on May 5. Right-hander Matt Koch (5-5, 4.48 ERA) filled in for Buchholz against the Rockies and is the most likely candidate to fill the void in the rotation.“We’ve got to sit down and talk about that,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I know Matt Koch actually threw the ball pretty good (Thursday). Got banged up on a couple mistakes for some home runs but he did exactly what we wanted him to: get through the lineup twice. So, I think that’s the obvious choice if and when we need that spot. We’re creatively trying to work through that right now and figure out what our best options are.”