San Diego Padres Shake Up Roster with Nelson Cruz’s Departure and Michael Wacha’s Injury
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres made some significant roster moves on July 4th, 2023, as they designated veteran slugger Nelson Cruz for assignment and placed right-hander Michael Wacha on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation.
Cruz’s tenure with the Padres came to an unexpected end, leaving his future in the big leagues uncertain. The 19-year veteran had been serving as a designated hitter and pinch-hitter, primarily against left-handed pitching. However, his performance this season, with a .245/.283/.399 slash line in 49 games, did not meet the team’s expectations.
Manager Bob Melvin explained that the decision to designate Cruz for assignment was driven by the team’s need for more versatility. The Padres wanted to give other players more opportunities and have a more well-rounded bench. Melvin acknowledged Cruz’s impact in the clubhouse and his respected leadership qualities.
Cruz’s impressive career includes 464 home runs, an .856 OPS, and a 42.3 bWAR. He has been a seven-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger, and the MVP of the 2011 American League Championship Series with the Texas Rangers. Melvin expressed confidence that Cruz would find another team to continue his career.
Meanwhile, Wacha’s shoulder inflammation landed him on the injured list. The Padres are hopeful that the All-Star break will provide him with enough time to recover. Wacha had already missed a start last month due to the same issue. Melvin indicated that Wacha could potentially return to the rotation after the break.
In addition to these moves, the Padres optioned right-handed pitcher Domingo Tapia and recalled left-handed pitcher José Castillo and right-handed knuckleballer Matt Waldron. The team is looking to make the most of their pitching options and strengthen their bullpen.
The Padres had signed Cruz to a one-year deal during the offseason, intending to platoon him with Matt Carpenter at the designated hitter position. However, the lack of production from the duo led to the decision to designate Cruz for assignment.
As the Padres make these roster adjustments, they hope to improve their overall performance and find the right balance to compete in the highly competitive National League West division.
What potential moves could the Padres make before the trade deadline to address the void left by Michael Wacha’s injury and bolster their pitching staff
Was signed by the Padres in the offseason to provide a power bat in the lineup. However, Cruz struggled to find his rhythm with his new team, hitting just .220 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs in 68 games.
With Cruz’s departure, the Padres are left with a hole in their lineup and will need to find a suitable replacement for the power-hitting outfielder. It remains to be seen whether Cruz will land with another team or if this marks the end of his illustrious career.
In addition to Cruz’s departure, the Padres also suffered a blow to their pitching staff with Michael Wacha’s injury. Wacha, who had been performing well for the Padres, was placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation. This is a setback for the Padres, as Wacha had a 3.72 ERA in 15 starts this season.
The Padres will now have to rely on their pitching depth to fill the void left by Wacha. With the trade deadline approaching, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Padres look to make a move to bolster their rotation.
Despite these setbacks, the Padres remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the highly competitive National League West. They currently sit in third place, just a few games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
It will be interesting to see how the Padres navigate these changes to their roster and if they can maintain their position in the playoff race. The loss of Cruz’s power bat and Wacha’s strong pitching will undoubtedly test the Padres’ depth and resilience.
San Diego fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team responds to these roster shake-ups and if they can continue their quest for postseason success.
It’s a bold move by the Padres, but parting ways with Nelson Cruz signals a major roster shake-up. Can’t wait to see what this means for the team’s future.