Steven Cruz - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Optioned to Triple-A The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.

Impact He's the roster casualty with Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) returning from the injured list to start Wednesday's game versus the Nationals. Cruz has spun 5.2 scoreless frames during his time with the big club in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Back in big leagues The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact He'll provide the Royals with a healthy reliever after James McArthur (elbow) went down. Cruz has three scoreless appearances during his time in the majors in 2024.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Omaha The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Impact Cruz had three scoreless appearances during his brief stint in the majors but nonetheless will head back to Omaha. He could get another opportunity later this month.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Brought up from minors The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Cruz, 25, was with the Royals briefly earlier this season but didn't make an appearance. He's collected a 3.35 ERA and 55:23 K:BB over 48.1 innings this season with Omaha and is likely to be used in low-leverage situations.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Filling opener role Saturday Cruz is slated to open Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Impact He'll be operating as an opener for the second weekend in a row, after he had previously worked an inning in last Sunday's contest versus the Astros before giving way to bulk reliever Alec Marsh. The Royals haven't formally named a bulk reliever for Saturday's contest, but Marsh is available on five days' rest and should end up covering most of the innings out of the bullpen once Cruz exits the contest.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opener assignment Sunday Cruz will serve as the opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Astros, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Impact Alec Marsh is lined up to work in bulk relief. Cruz, 24, has allowed four earned runs on seven hits and eight walks over his first 8.2 major-league innings this season and hasn't thrown more than 39 pitches in a single outing.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set to open Tuesday Cruz will work as an opener in Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cruz tossed two scoreless innings while opening against White Sox last week, and he will get another chance to work in that role. Since being tagged for four earned runs in his Aug. 29 big-league debut, Cruz has not allowed a run and has posted a 0.63 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opening Wednesday Cruz will start Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cruz has surrendered four runs across five innings in the majors since debuting Aug. 29, and he will be making the first start of his career Wednesday. The Royals likely won't wait longer than an inning or two before swapping Cruz for Alec Marsh, who is set to pitch bulk innings.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Contract selected by Kansas City The Royals selected Cruz's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Impact The 24-year-old was acquired from the Twins in the Michael Taylor trade in January, and he'll now receive his first taste of the majors. Cruz pitched well for Double-A Norwest Arkansas with a 2.48 ERA in 29 relief appearances this season, though he's struggled to a 6.88 ERA over 17 innings since being promoted to Triple-A in July.

AUGUST 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE