Padres Focus on Versatility with Nelson Cruz DFA'd, Michael Wacha Placed on IL, and Encouraging Progress from Yu Darvish

San Diego Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment, replace him with Matt Batten.

In a surprising move, the San Diego Padres have designated their 43-year-old designated hitter, Nelson Cruz, for assignment. This decision marks the end of Cruz's stint with the team after signing a $1 million deal in the offseason. Despite hitting two home runs and maintaining a .263/.317/.447 batting line in 13 games since returning from the injured list in mid-June, Cruz's overall performance (.681 OPS) has been underwhelming. As the right-handed half of a platoon, he has struggled to provide the necessary offensive support late in games.

Cruz's primary role on the team was as a designated hitter, and with the left-handed-hitting Matt Carpenter also struggling (.140/.273/.210 since May), the Padres have decided to explore other options at first base. Jake Cronenworth and Brandon Dixon are currently ahead of Carpenter in the pecking order. To replace Cruz on the roster, the Padres have called up infielder Matt Batten from Triple-A El Paso. Batten has been a standout performer in the Padres' farm system, leading in stolen bases with 27 in 73 games. He has shown versatility by playing multiple positions except for catcher.

Padres manager Bob Melvin acknowledged the need for more flexibility and a runner off the bench, which led to the decision to designate Cruz for assignment. Melvin expressed his admiration for Cruz's contributions to the team and his immense respect within the league and clubhouse. While it is unfortunate to part ways with Cruz, Melvin believes he will find another team to continue his career.

Cruz's improved performance after coming off the injured list suggests that he still has more to offer. However, the Padres faced roster complications with two designated hitters and decided it was necessary to make this move. The team had high hopes for Carpenter and expected a rebound from Cruz, considering his positive clubhouse presence and previous success. Unfortunately, Carpenter's OPS has dropped significantly, and Cruz's performance has been only slightly better.

Cruz received the news of his designation from A.J. Preller, the Padres' president of baseball operations, over the phone. Unless the Padres can find a trade partner in the next seven days, Cruz will likely become a free agent. With a career total of 464 home runs over 19 years, Cruz's impact on the clubhouse and his respected reputation throughout the league will be missed.

In other news, pitcher Michael Wacha has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder fatigue. This move is retroactive to July 2. Wacha had a solid outing against the Reds, allowing only one run in five innings, but the Padres decided to take advantage of the upcoming All-Star break to give him some rest. If Wacha's inflammation subsides, he could return to the rotation shortly after the break.

Yu Darvish, who had been dealing with an unknown viral illness, has made progress in his recovery. He played catch on the field and stated that he is close to 100 percent. Darvish tested negative for COVID but lost around 7 pounds during his illness. He missed out on potential starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds, as well as a matchup against Shohei Ohtani. The plan is for Darvish to return to the mound on Friday against the New York Mets, with Seth Lugo starting on Wednesday.

To bolster their bullpen, the Padres have recalled right-hander Matt Waldron and left-hander José Castillo. Waldron could potentially start on Saturday, depending on his usage in the next couple of days. Another option is left-hander Adrián Morejón, who started in Darvish's place on Sunday in Cincinnati. The Padres are making these moves to address the workload on their bullpen and ensure they have enough pitching options moving forward.

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