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: Opener assignment Sunday
Rotowire
Cruz will serve as the opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Astros, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.
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.
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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.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Opening Wednesday
Rotowire
Cruz will serve as the Royals' opening pitcher for Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Since getting promoted from Triple-A Omaha in late August, Cruz has surrendered four runs across five innings, but over his last four appearances, he's allowed just two baserunners while striking out four across 4.1 frames. The Royals likely won't have Cruz cover more than an inning or two before he gives way to Alec Marsh, who is set to serve as a bulk reliever.
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Royals' Steven Cruz: Contract selected by Kansas City
Rotowire
The Royals selected Cruz's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
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.
