Steven Cruz Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Royals vs Rangers game on Feb 20, 2026 with our Major League Baseball injury report.Sep 30, 2023
Filling opener role Saturday
Cruz is slated to open Saturday's game against the Yankees.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 23, 2023
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.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 18, 2023
Set to open Tuesday
Cruz will work as an opener in Tuesday's game against the Guardians, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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.
Sep 13, 2023
Opening Wednesday
Cruz will start Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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.
Aug 29, 2023
Contract selected by Kansas City
The Royals selected Cruz's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
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.
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