The Tigers called up Cruz from Triple-A Toledo, and he is starting in right field and batting ninth Friday against the White Sox, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
It will be the MLB debut for the 27-year-old Cruz, who is replacing Wenceel Perez (face) on the active roster. Cruz has a .228/.326/.333 slash line with two homers in 33 games at Toledo this year and is likely to operate primarily as a reserve outfielder while up in the majors.