Nelson Cruz - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Reports: Nelson Cruz accepts advisor role with Dodgers Jun 27, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Nelson Cruz (32) warms up before the game against the Pittsb...

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Reports: Nelson Cruz accepts advisor role with Dodgers Jun 27, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Nelson Cruz (32) warms up before the game against the Pittsb...

NOVEMBER 29, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

10 moments that defined Cruz's career After 19 seasons, Nelson Cruz called it a career on Thursday. From seven All-Star Game appearances to four Silver Slugger Awards, eight club...

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • MLB.COM

Nobody ever talks about how Nelson Cruz was able to put up bigger numbers AFTER his PED ban The recently retired slugger did what no other juiced player could do. Let's talk about it

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Former Rangers Slugger Retires Nelson Cruz was one of the most powerful hitters in Texas Rangers history and part of two World Series teams.

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Former Twins slugger Nelson Cruz announces his retirement Nelson Cruz, who hit 76 of his 464 career homers in three seasons with Minnesota, is hanging up the cleats after 19 years in the major leagu...

NOVEMBER 3, 2023 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Nelson Cruz, a seven-time MLB All-Star, retires at age 43 after 19 seasons

Nelson Cruz, a seven-time MLB All-Star, says he's retiring at age 43 after hitting 464 home runs in 19 major league seasons.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Nelson Cruz, a seven-time MLB All-Star, retires at age 43 after 19 seasons

Nelson Cruz retires at age 43 after hitting 464 homers in 19 seasons

Nelson Cruz says he is retiring at age 43 after hitting 464 home runs in 19 major league seasons

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • Associated Press

Nelson Cruz retires from MLB after 19 seasons Jun 27, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; San Diego Padres designated hitter Nelson Cruz (32) warms up before the game against the Pittsb...

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Nelson Cruz, 7-time MLB All-Star, retires Cruz is a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner who led the major leagues with 40 home runs in 2014.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Nelson Cruz cranks a 432-foot three-run homer to extend Padres' lead over the Braves

JULY 27, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Nelson Cruz slams a home run into left field to extend the Padres' lead 2-0 over the Diamondbacks

JULY 25, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Officially released by Padres Cruz was released by the Padres on Monday.

Impact Cruz had been designated for assignment a week ago after batting just .245/.283/.399 with a 30.3 percent strikeout rate across 49 games. This was after the 43-year-old hit only .234/.313/.337 in 2022. It's possible this is the end of the line for the seven-time All-Star.

JULY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment, place Michael Wacha on IL

The Padres designated veteran slugger Nelson Cruz for assignment and placed right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list.

JULY 4, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment, place Michael Wacha on IL

Padres' Nelson Cruz Designated for Assignment The 43-year-old had a .681 OPS with five homers in 49 games this season.

JULY 4, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Designated for assignment Cruz was designated for assignment by the Padres on Tuesday.

Impact Cruz signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Padres over the winter and was getting fairly regular starts in the DH role, but he has suddenly been dropped from the 40-man roster after ultimately slashing just .245/.283/.399 with five homers and 23 RBI across 49 games. Rougned Odor looks poised for an uptick in playing time as part of the fallout from this move. He is at third base Tuesday with Manny Machado taking a turn as the DH.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against righty Cruz is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Cruz had started at designated hitter in five of the previous seven games, but four came versus left-handed pitchers and the other came against a right-hander opener in Ryan Walker, who worked just one inning for the Giants that day. Now on the bench for the second straight game versus a right-hander (Luis Ortiz) after he sat out against righty Mitch Keller on Wednesday, Cruz still appears to be stuck in the short-side platoon role at designated hitter that he's handled all season. While Matt Carpenter has lost hold of the strong-side role due to his ongoing struggles at the plate, the Padres have turned to another left-handed hitter in Rougned Odor to replace him.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday Cruz is not in the lineup Wednesday versus the Pirates.

Impact Matt Carpenter will handle the DH role and bat eighth as the Padres square off against the Pirates and right-hander Mitch Keller. Cruz has picked it up offensively in recent weeks but holds a relatively underwhelming .250/.291/.417 season slash line.

JUNE 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Saturday Cruz isn't in the Padres' lineup Saturday against the Nationals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact After going 2-for-10 with four RBI and five strikeouts across his last three games, Cruz will get a day to rest Saturday. Rougned Odor will fill in as San Diego's designated hitter and bat eighth.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hits solo blast Friday Cruz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Rays.

Impact Cruz ended Shane McClanahan's outing with a solo shot in the seventh inning, accounting for the only run the Padres were able to score against Tampa's ace. The long ball was the second in three games for Cruz since he was activated off the injured list June 13. The veteran slugger appears to be San Diego's designated hitter of choice against southpaws, while Matt Carpenter has been getting starts at the position against righties.

JUNE 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers off bench Cruz went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-0 win over the Guardians.

Impact This was Cruz's first game action since he returned from a hamstring injury that cost him two weeks. He didn't start Wednesday, but he entered the game as a pinch hitter for Matt Carpenter in the fifth inning before going deep in the eighth. Cruz is up to four homers, 17 RBI, eight runs scored and a stolen base over 113 plate appearances, but he has just a .243/.274/.411 slash line. There's still some power in his bat, but it's unclear if he'll be able to retake a spot in the starting lineup over Carpenter. Cruz may have to settle into a short-side platoon role.

JUNE 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Cruz (hamstring) was activated Tuesday from the 10-day injured list, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Cruz is not in the Padres' starting lineup Tuesday night against the Guardians, but the 42-year-old should be available off the bench. He wound up missing a little less than two weeks because of a right hamstring strain. Alfonso Rivas was optioned to Triple-A El Paso to clear space for Cruz.

JUNE 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Hitting well in rehab stint Cruz (hamstring) has gone 3-for-8 with a home run and two RBI through two rehab appearances with Triple-A El Paso.

Impact Cruz is getting ready to return to San Diego after suffering a right hamstring injury May 31. The fact that he's already playing in minor-league contests suggests that the issue wasn't severe and that the veteran could serve the minimum amount of time on the IL. Cruz is eligible to return to the big club Sunday, though his playing time could take a bit of a hit with the Padres' recent addition of Gary Sanchez, who is playing on a near-everyday basis and is making his second start at DH for the team Saturday.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Minors: Nelson Cruz starts rehab with a homer; Jackson Wolf keeps cruising Nelson Cruz homers to start rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso; Jackson Wolf takes perfect game into sixth with Double-A San Antonio

JUNE 8, 2023 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Beginning rehab assignment Cruz (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso.

Impact Cruz is only a week removed from suffering a right hamstring strain and could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible this weekend. The veteran slugger has posted a rough .651 OPS with only three home runs through 36 games (111 plate appearances) this season with the Padres and might lose some DH looks to the recently-acquired Gary Sanchez.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Nelson Cruz, a seven-time MLB All-Star, retires at age 43 after 19 seasons

Nelson Cruz retires at age 43 after hitting 464 homers in 19 seasons

Nelson Cruz cranks a 432-foot three-run homer to extend Padres' lead over the Braves

Nelson Cruz slams a home run into left field to extend the Padres' lead 2-0 over the Diamondbacks

Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment, place Michael Wacha on IL