Former Texas Rangers slugger Nelson Cruz was designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, ending his brief stint with the team.
Cruz signed a one-year contract with San Diego this offseason after a year in which he hit just 10 home runs, his lowest total since 2008. Through 49 games with the Padres, the slugger hit .245 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.
“We need to have a little more versatility,” Padres manager Bob Melvin explained. “Unfortunately, we had to make this move today. Everybody loves Nelson. His respect around the league is immense as it is in this clubhouse. I’m sure he will catch on somewhere else.
“…Nelson loves playing the game,” Melvin added. “He certainly has some baseball left in him. We saw him impact quite a few games for us this year. I hope he catches on with the right team for him.”
The 43-year-old designated hitter spent eight seasons with the Rangers after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in July 2006, hitting .268 with 157 home runs and nearly 500 RBIs and making two American League All-Star teams as an outfielder and designated hitter for a Rangers club that made three playoff appearances and reached back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011.
Cruz last played for the Rangers in 2013 before joining the Baltimore Orioles for a season. His most successful run since leaving Texas was a four-year stint with the Seattle Mariners, during which he hit 163 home runs and amassed over 400 RBIs. He has also played for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington Nationals throughout his 19-year career.
Cruz has made seven All-Star appearances, won four Silver Sluggers, and is among the active leaders in hits, home runs, RBIs, and extra-base hits.
By being designated for assignment, Cruz is removed from the Padres’ 40-man roster and can be picked up by any MLB team via waivers but will go down to the minor leagues or be released if no one picks him up.
San Diego also placed pitcher Michael Wacha on the injured list and optioned pitcher Domingo Tapia to Triple-A El Paso, while recalling pitchers Jose Castillo and Matt Waldron and infielder Matthew Batten from Triple-A.
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EXTRA INNINGS
— The Los Angeles Angels lost multiple players to injuries over the past few days. Star outfielder Mike Trout, selected to start the All-Star Game in Seattle next week, was placed on the injured list with a broken wrist Tuesday. At the same time, pitcher Shohei Ohtani and third baseman Anthony Rendon were removed from Tuesday’s game against San Diego.
— Chicago Cubs manager David Ross went on a rant about the umpiring in Tuesday’s win over Milwaukee after he and former Ranger Mike Napoli, now the Cubs’ first base coach, were ejected for arguing balls and strikes. He also had an issue with the Brewers closing their retractable roof, saying it caused unnecessary shadows.
— Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery to repair a flexor tendon in his elbow. It will be the second time May has been shut down over elbow issues since 2021, as he was returning from Tommy John surgery this season.
— Pitcher Alek Manoah is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend and will start Friday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after being sent down to the lower minor leagues last month. Manoah was an AL-Star and Cy Young Award finalist last season but has just a 1-7 record with a 6.36 ERA this year.
— Julio Rodriguez (Seattle), Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers), Pete Alonso (New York Mets), Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto), and Adley Rutschman (Baltimore) have all announced they will participate in the 2023 Home Run Derby in Seattle on Monday. The field usually features eight hitters showcasing their power in a head-to-head tournament, so additional announcements should be coming.
— The MLB will hold its annual draft in Seattle beginning Sunday at 6 p.m. CT. The event will last three days, concluding with the 20th round on Tuesday. LSU’s Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews and Florida’s Wyatt Langford are projected to be the first three players selected. The Texas Rangers hold the fourth overall pick.
–All-Star week will also feature the annual MLB Futures Game on Sunday, as many of the top minor leaguers take the stage. Pitcher Owen White will represent the Rangers.
— The league has also announced some injury replacements for next week’s All-Star Game.
