NELSON CRUZ NEWS

Set for spring opener Cruz (eye) is starting at designated hitter and batting fourth in Friday's Cactus League opener versus the Mariners, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cruz joined the Padres in early January after he spent 2022 with the Nationals, recording 10 homers, 64 RBI, 50 runs and four stolen bases in 448 at-bats over 124 contests while batting .234 on the year, his lowest average since 2007. Considering he's 42 years old and appears to be in the twilight of his career, Cruz isn't expected to operate as an everyday option in San Diego. Instead he'll likely platoon with Matt Carpenter at designated hitter and face left-handers almost exclusively in 2023. That being said, while Fernando Tatis serves his 20-game suspension to start the campaign, Cruz could garner an extended look in the Padres' lineup.

FEBRUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Padres all-in on World Series for 2023. Will they bust if they fall short?

The Padres' aggressive spending has captured MLB's attention and, perhaps, made them February favorites. But their future beyond 2023 couldn...

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

Nelson Cruz, Padres finalize $1 million, 1-year contract

Longtime slugger Nelson Cruz and the San Diego Padres have finalized a $1 million, one-year contract

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bryce Miller: Padres' decision to sign Nelson Cruz likely to deliver positive Fernando Tatis Jr. results Counting the ways that the Padres' signing of aging slugger Nelson Cruz makes sense is easy. Until a season ago, he was one of the most depe...

JANUARY 12, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

AP sources: Padres, Nelson Cruz agree to 1-year, $1M deal

Two people with knowledge of the deal say veteran slugger Nelson Cruz has agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with the San Diego Padres

JANUARY 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Finds work in San Diego Cruz (eye) agreed Wednesday with the Padres on a one-year deal, Hector Gomez of Z101Digital.com reports.

Impact According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, Cruz's deal is for just $1 million, with the 42-year-old's downturn in performance in 2022 along with his desire to play for a potential World Series contender resulting in him taking a $14 million paycut from the year prior. After several years of defying the aging curve, Cruz finally looked mortal in Washington last season, slashing .234/.313/.337 with a career-low .103 ISO and a 23.6 percent strikeout rate over his 504 plate appearances. The seven-time All-Star ended up missing the Nationals' final 20 games of the season and ultimately needed offseason surgery to address an infection in his left eye, but he should be ready to go for spring training. With San Diego, Cruz is likely to see most of his opportunities against left-handed pitching, perhaps as part of a platoon at designated hitter with the lefty-hitting Matt Carpenter. However, while Fernando Tatis serves a suspension for the first 20 games of the season, the Padres could look to have Carpenter play some left field, which would open up more at-bats for Cruz versus righties to begin the year.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In 2022, Adolis García proved he was no fluke. Is he a latter day Nelson Cruz? As the Rangers prepare for the heart of the offseason shopping season and the bazaar known as the Winter Meetings in early December, we take...

NOVEMBER 30, 2022 • DALLASNEWS.COM

DeGrom, Correa, Bogaerts, Rodón turn down options, go free

Jacob deGrom, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts and Carlos Rodón turned down player options, joining a free agent market that includes Aaron Judge, Trea Turner and Dansby Swanson

NOVEMBER 7, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Parts ways with Nats The Nationals declined Cruz's (eye) $16 million mutual option for 2023 on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Per the terms of the deal he signed with the Nationals last March, Cruz will receive a $3 million buyout and net $15 million in total for his lone season in Washington. After years of defying the aging curve, the 42-year-old Cruz slowed down in 2022. He slashed .234/.313/.337 in 507 plate appearances while ending with an 85 wRC+, his first time finishing below 100 since 2007. Cruz underwent surgery earlier this offseason to address an infection in his left eye that prevented him from playing in the Nationals' final 20 games, but he should be ready to resume baseball activities in December. The designated hitter thus far hasn't signaled that he plans to retire, and his strong track record prior to last season could be enough for him to land a one-year MLB deal in free agency this winter.

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Eye surgery successful Cruz's eye surgery went well, the veteran announced on his personal Twitter page Tuesday.

Impact Cruz is 42 years old and is coming off a season in which he hit .234/.313/.337, with his 85 wRC+ standing as his lowest mark since 2007. He has no plans to retire, however, so he'll be looking to convince a team that his down year was due more to his eye issues than his age. He'll resume baseball activities sometime in the second half of December and seemingly has enough time to get up to speed by the start of next season.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Roberto Clemente Award Winners 2022 — Justin Turner 2021 — Nelson Cruz 2020 — Adam Wainwright 2019 — Carlos Carrasco 2018 — Yadier Molina 2017 — Anthony Rizzo 2016 — Curti...

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Requires surgery Cruz, who isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets, will undergo surgery on his left eye around the end of October, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cruz hasn't played since Sept. 13 due to inflammation in the inner corner of his left eye, but manager Dave Martinez suggested that the 42-year-old could appear as a pinch hitter during Wednesday's regular-season finale. Regardless of whether Cruz appears in Wednesday's matchup, he'll undergo a procedure around the end of the month and expects to resume baseball activities 6-8 weeks later. He doesn't have plans to retire following the season, and it seems possible that he'll be ready to play in time for spring training in 2023.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out for season finale Cruz (eye) isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

Impact Cruz has been sidelined over the last several weeks due to a left eye infection, and he'll remain on the bench for Wednesday's season finale. The 42-year-old has slashed .234/.313/.337 with 10 home runs, 64 RBI, 50 runs and four steals in 2022, but he could still log one more plate appearance before the season ends. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, manager Dave Martinez said that Cruz may feel well enough to make a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nationals bring 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Mets

The Washington Nationals head into the matchup with the New York Mets as losers of four straight games

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Remains sidelined Cruz (eye) is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Impact Cruz hasn't seen the field since Sept. 13 due to left eye inflammation, and his absence will continue in Tuesday's nightcap. It's unclear if the 42-year-old will be available for Wednesday's season finale.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Still out for Game 1 Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Impact It's very possible that Cruz won't return this season, but that has not be explicitly stated. Luke Voit will handle the designated hitter duties in the matinee.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mets look to stop 3-game skid, play the Nationals

The New York Mets look to break a three-game losing streak when they play the Washington Nationals

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Nationals visit the Mets for season opener

The New York Mets host the Washington Nationals for the season opener

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still out of lineup Cruz (eye) isn't starting Monday against the Mets.

Impact Cruz hasn't played since Sept. 13 due to left eye inflammation, and he'll be sidelined yet again while Luke Voit serves as the designated hitter and bats cleanup. It's not yet clear whether Cruz will return prior to the end of the regular season.

OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Sunday Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Cruz still has not appeared in a game since Sept. 13, and he will remain out of the starting nine for at least another day. The Nationals have just three games remaining, so although no official announcement has been made, it's certainly possible Cruz's season has already come to a close.

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies face the Nationals with 2-1 series lead

The Philadelphia Phillies meet the Washington Nationals with a 2-1 series lead

OCTOBER 2, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Still sitting Cruz (eye) will sit for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

Impact An eye issue has prevented Cruz from playing since Sept. 13, but the Nationals continue to leave him on the active roster. Luke Voit will be the designated hitter in his absence.

OCTOBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE