Nelson Cruz Designated For Assignment By San Diego Padres

Longtime MLB slugger Nelson Cruz was designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday afternoon. The 43-year-old will have seven days to be traded or released.

Just days ago, Nelson Cruz made unique baseball history on his birthday. Now, days after his 43rd birthday, he's been designated for assignment by the San Diego Padres.

The 43-year-old will have seven days to be traded or released. 

The Padres announced the move on social media as part of a flurry of moves:

The #Padres made the following roster moves today: 

◦ Recalled LHP José Castillo, RHP Matt Waldron & INF Matthew Batten from El Paso 

◦ Optioned RHP Domingo Tapia to El Paso, placed RHP Michael Wacha on the 15-day IL (right shoulder inflammation, retro to 7/2) & DFA’d DH Nelson Cruz

The #Padres made the following roster moves today:

◦ Recalled LHP José Castillo, RHP Matt Waldron & INF Matthew Batten from El Paso

◦ Optioned RHP Domingo Tapia to El Paso, placed RHP Michael Wacha on the 15-day IL (right shoulder inflammation, retro to 7/2) & DFA’d DH Nelson…

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 4, 2023

Given that Cruz is one of the most productive sluggers of the last decade, you'd have to imagine that he'll get a shot somewhere, but it remains to be seen whether or not a team will want to trade for him.

The native of the Dominican Republic is hitting .245 this year with five home runs and 23 RBI in a part-time role.

He's a seven-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger winner who has popped 464 career home runs.

He's in his 19th year in the big leagues with the Brewers, Rangers, Orioles, Mariners, Rays, Twins, Nationals and Padres.

He hit 30 home runs or more in seven consecutive full seasons between 2014-2021. He also hit 16 in the shortened COVID season.

Starved for offensive power and bench production, perhaps Cruz's former team, the Seattle Mariners, could take a flier.

We'll have to see what happens over the next week.

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