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.
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.
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Padres' Nelson Cruz: Finds work in San Diego
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Cruz (eye) agreed Wednesday with the Padres on a one-year deal, Hector Gomez of Z101Digital.com reports.
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.
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Nelson Cruz: Parts ways with Nats
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The Nationals declined Cruz's (eye) $16 million mutual option for 2023 on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Eye surgery successful
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Cruz's eye surgery went well, the veteran announced on his personal Twitter page Tuesday.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Requires surgery
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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.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Remains out for season finale
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Cruz (eye) isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Remains sidelined
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Cruz (eye) is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Still out for Game 1
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Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Still out of lineup
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Cruz (eye) isn't starting Monday against the Mets.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Sitting again Sunday
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Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Still sitting
Rotowire
Cruz (eye) will sit for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies.
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.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: On bench for matinee
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Cruz (eye) isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Cruz will be sidelined once again as he continues to deal with left eye inflammation. It's not yet clear when he'll return, but Luke Voit will continue to serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Remains on bench for nightcap
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Cruz (eye) isn't in the lineup for the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies.
Cruz continues to deal with left eye inflammation and will be held out of the lineup for a 14th consecutive game. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return, but Luke Voit will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup once again.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Not starting matinee
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Cruz (eye) isn't starting the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Although Cruz hasn't been placed on the injured list, he'll remain out for a 14th consecutive matchup due to left eye inflammation. Whether he'll be available for Friday's nightcap remains to be seen, but Luke Voit will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup in the matinee.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Still not starting
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Cruz (eye) isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Atlanta, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Cruz is on the bench for a 13th consecutive game as he continues to deal with left eye inflammation. Luke Voit will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup once again.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Continues to sit
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Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.
Tuesday's game will be the 12th straight in which Cruz has opened on the bench. Luke Voit will again serve as the designated hitter for the Nationals.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Remains out Monday
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Cruz (eye) is on the bench Monday versus Atlanta.
Luke Voit is the designated hitter while Cruz continues to recover from inflammation near his left eye. It's worth wondering why Cruz, missing his 11th straight game, hasn't gone on the injured list, though teams are under less pressure to make those moves this late in the season due to expanded rosters. He should still be considered day-to-day leading into Tuesday's contest.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Still out Sunday
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Cruz (eye) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Cruz is still dealing with inflammation around his left eye and will sit Sunday for the 10th straight game. Luke Voit will again serve as the designated hitter while Joey Meneses shifts to first base.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: Remains out of lineup
Rotowire
Cruz (eye) isn't starting Saturday against the Marlins.
Cruz is on the bench for a ninth consecutive matchup due to left eye inflammation, but the Nationals continue to label him as day-to-day rather than placing him on the injured list. Luke Voit will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup once again.
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Nationals' Nelson Cruz: On bench again Friday
Rotowire
Cruz (eye) isn't starting Friday against the Marlins.
Cruz continues to deal with left eye inflammation and will be on the bench for an eighth consecutive game. Luke Voit is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup.
