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Mariners' Nelson Cruz: To get plenty of reps before WBC

Cruz, along with teammate Robinson Cano, will leave the Mariners in March to join Team Dominican Republic in the WBC, but will see plenty of action in early spring training games before then, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. "They will play a little more than normal before they head off to the WBC," manager Scott Servais said. "They want to get some timing down and make sure they feel good at the plate. You will see those guys play more than just every other day."

Analysis:

Cruz is slated to bat cleanup in Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Padres, and the plan is apparently for him to be in the majority of games before he departs Mariners camp in March. The veteran slugger will look to extend his 40-homer streak to four seasons in 2017 while once again serving as an integral component in the Seattle lineup.

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