SURPRISE, AZ (AP) – Nelson Cruz tweaked his offseason routine in hopes of not tweaking his hamstring.

The slugger is so determined to stay off the disabled list and play a full season this year for the Texas Rangers that he worked to drop 12 pounds from his previous playing weight of 240 and take some pressure off his lower body. He did more jumping drills to strengthen his troublesome legs. He met up with teammate Mike Napoli in Miami to work out this winter and find a program he believes will work.

Last year’s AL championship series MVP has played 128 games or fewer in each of the past three seasons because of injuries – with five DL stints since 2010. Manager Ron Washington insists Cruz could have an MVP season if healthy.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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