Royals' Steven Cruz: Early stages of throwing program
Rotowire
Cruz (shoulder) is throwing from about 75 feet and is in the beginning stages of his throwing progression, MLB.com reports.
Cruz was placed on the injured list Aug. 3 with right shoulder tendinitis and, per manager Matt Quatraro, is still in the early stages of his rehab. While no firm return date has been set, the slow pace of his recovery suggests the 26-year-old is more likely to return sometime in September than by the end of August.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Reevaluation looming
Rotowire
Cruz (shoulder) is set to be reevaluated Monday to determine if he can begin a throwing program, per MLB.com.
Cruz landed on the injured list Aug. 3 and received an injection the following day for a right shoulder injury labeled as tendonitis. Before hitting the shelf, the right-hander had climbed the ranks in the Royals bullpen, opening the year with 13 scoreless outings before leveling off to a 3.61 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 43 appearances (42.1 innings).
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Receives injection in shoulder
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Cruz got an injection in his right shoulder Monday and could be cleared to play catch early next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Cruz is working through shoulder tendinitis, which caused him to be placed on the Royals' 15-day injured list Sunday. Monday's injection was done to speed up the recovery process, and how his shoulder feels this week will determine when he takes the next step in his throwing program. Cruz posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and seven holds over 42.1 innings this season prior to his injury.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Pulled with shoulder injury
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Cruz was removed from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays with right shoulder discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Cruz gave up a hit and a walk in the seventh inning before his shoulder forced him to leave the game without recording an out. There's no word yet on the severity of his injury, but the Royals should offer some more details after they get a closer look at him.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Earns third win
Rotowire
Cruz (3-1) earned the win Saturday against the Guardians. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out one over one inning.
Cruz found himself in a jam in the top of the 10th inning but limited the damage to one run and ultimately earned the win after Jonathan India walked it off in the bottom half of the frame. The reliever entered July with a 2.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP over 32.2 innings but has struggled this month, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.50 WHIP across 7.1 innings. Despite the rough stretch, his season-long numbers remain strong, with a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP over 40 innings, backed by a fastball that regularly touches 98 mph.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Cruz takes the roster spot of Hunter Harvey, who was placed on the 15-day IL with a right teres major strain. Cruz pitched in five regular-season games for the Royals last season, posting a 0.00 ERA and 4:0 K:BB across 5.2 innings of work.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Dispatched to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
He'll give up his spot on the 28-man active roster with Michael Lorenzen (hamstring) returning from the 15-day 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.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Back in big leagues
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
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.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Brought up from minors
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
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.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals optioned Cruz to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday.
Cruz was recalled Thursday to bolster the Royals' bullpen after Dan Altavilla (oblique) was placed on the injured list. Cruz did not make a major-league appearance, and he will return to Omaha where he has registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 15:11 K:BB over 26 innings. The move comes with Michael Wacha (foot) being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Royals recalled Cruz from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.
With Dan Altavilla (oblique) headed for the injured list, the Royals will bring up Cruz to help replenish their bullpen depth. The 25-year-old has spent all season with Omaha, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.42 WHIP through 26 innings. He allowed seven earned runs through 12.2 frames during his time in the majors last season and will likely only be used during low-leverage situations.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
Cruz was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the Royals on Friday.
Over his three appearances in spring training, Cruz has allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks over three innings while striking out four. He'll start the 2024 season in the minors and look to work his way back into the majors later in the year.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Filling opener role Saturday
Rotowire
Cruz is slated to open Saturday's game against the Yankees.
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.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Set to open Tuesday
Rotowire
Cruz will work as the Royals' opening pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Cruz tossed two scoreless innings while opening against White Sox last week, and he'll get another chance to work in that role Tuesday. Since being tagged for four earned runs in his Aug. 29 big-league debut, Cruz hasn't allowed a run and has posted a 0.63 WHIP and 8:1 K:BB over 6.1 innings. Alec Marsh is the most likely candidate to work in bulk relief behind Cruz on Tuesday.
