Steven Cruz notches first career save for Royals

Cruz’ ERA is 4.62, which isn’t great, but is better than Matt Strahm, Lucas Erceg and Alex Lange. Lange got the save on Saturday, but he has a 6.00 ERA. Cruz struck out two batters Sunday, including winning a battle with Riley Green to end the game. Cruz has a legitimate claim to being the best closing option for the Royals and at worst he should be considered next in line behind Lange.

Cruz surrendered four homers and eight runs over five innings in his first stint with the Royals this season. He’ll rejoin the bullpen.

Technically they “optioined” him per their X account. Cruz has allowed an MLB-high four homers out of the bullpen and carries a bloated 14.40 ERA. This feels like a “get right” demotion.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro took his foot off the pedal today. After using his second and third best relievers to keep the game close in the seventh and eighth, Quatraro declined to go to Lucas Erceg in the ninth. Erceg worked Wednesday, but it was just seven pitches and he’d had Monday and Tuesday off. With the Twins having probably the worst ninth-inning situation in the AL, it seemed very much worth it to try to keep it 2-1. Instead, in came Cruz, who also worked Wednesday and is only in the majors because of Carlos Estévez’s injury. The three homers from Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens and Josh Bell turned into a 5-1 game entering the bottom of the ninth. The Royals ended up not scoring, though again, Quatraro could have helped there. Letting Lane Thomas, who is terrible against righties, bat with two on and none out against Justin Topa produced a double play that doomed the Royals’ chances. One imagines Cruz will be sent down after this, especially since he’ll be unavailable Friday anyway.

Cruz gets the call to replace injured closer Carlos Estévez (foot) prior to Wednesday’s showdown against the Twins. The 26-year-old will operate in low-leverage spots for the Royals after making a career-high 47 relief appearances at the highest level last year.

With this pair of cuts, the Royals are now down to 47 players remaining in big league camp. Avila, 24, only appeared in two Cactus League contests after spending most of the spring with Team Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic. He registered a 2.25 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a 4/2 K/BB ratio over four innings in Cactus League action. He should get an opportunity to pitch for the Royals at some point during the 2026 campaign.

Cruz missed six week with a right shoulder impingement. The 26-year-old should have a high-leverage role, and one just opened with Lucas Erceg placed on the injured list with his own shoulder impingement.

Cruz heads to the shelf after compiling a solid 3.61 ERA and 35/17 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings (42 appearances) this season in middle relief duty. No word yet on how long he’ll wind up being sidelined, but given the nature of the injury, there’s a chance his season is over.

Cruz gave up a hit and a walk before the shoulder ailment in the seventh inning. The 26-year-old very well could be headed to the injured list, but the Royals will likely have him undergo testing before making that decision.

Cruz will take the roster spot of an injured Hunter Harvey, who is out of commission with a shoulder sprain. Cruz was effective in his limited action with a 0.00 ERA with the Royals in 2024, but he likely won’t be a high-leverage reliever for the Royals in this stint.