Cruz will work as the opener Friday against the Cardinals.
He tossed 1.2 perfect innings with zero strikeouts as the opener Tuesday against the Pirates. Raynel Espinal or Reiver Sanmartin would be logical options to work as the primary pitcher.
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Reds' Fernando Cruz: Opening Game 2 vs. Bucs
Rotowire
Cruz will work as an opener in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Pirates, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Raynel Espinal is expected to be the primary pitcher out of the bullpen after Cruz gets a few outs to open the game. Cruz has a 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings over five appearances since getting promoted for September.
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Reds' Fernando Cruz: Receives first call-up at age 32
Rotowire
The Reds selected Cruz's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.
Perhaps no September call-up has had a more interesting path to the big leagues than Cruz, who was drafted by the Royals as an infielder in 2007. He transitioned to a full-time pitching role in 2011 and bounced around between affiliated ball, the independent ranks and foreign leagues over the last decade before finally getting his first promotion to the majors at 32 years old. The right-hander will likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role out of the Cincinnati bullpen after compiling a 2.89 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 66:19 K:BB in 56 innings at Louisville.
