Padres designate Nelson Cruz for assignment: Why San Diego ...

The San Diego Padres have designated Nelson Cruz for assignment, the team announced Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:

• Through 152 plate appearances, the designated hitter is slashing .245/.283/.399 with five home runs and 23 RBIs.
• The Padres also placed pitcher Michael Wacha on the 15-day IL, retroactive to July 2, with right shoulder inflammation.
• San Diego sits fourth in the National League West with a 39-46 record.

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

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Last offseason, Cruz accepted a little more than the league-minimum salary to chase a World Series ring with the Padres. He understood nothing would be guaranteed to him at this late stage in his career.

Things did not go as hoped. Cruz, who turned 43 on Saturday, logged a .681 OPS amid spotty playing time. Matt Carpenter, another designated hitter, has a .629 OPS. A struggling Padres team decided it could no longer afford to limit its roster flexibility by carrying both veterans, and Carpenter is in the first year of a two-year, $12 million contract. Matthew Batten, who took Cruz’s place on the roster, is not much of an offensive threat, but the 28-year-old can fill in at three infield positions and serve as a pinch runner. — Lin

The Padres skipped Wacha’s start before his most recent outing to supply rest for a shoulder that has troubled the pitcher for much of his career. On Saturday, he threw five innings of one-run baseball, but he showed reduced velocity and experienced more discomfort afterward. Now, the Padres are hoping Wacha will again skip only one turn before returning; next week’s All-Star break means he could retake the mound as soon as July 18 in Toronto.

There is no guarantee, of course. This is Wacha’s third career IL stint prompted by shoulder inflammation. An extended absence would be a major blow to the Padres’ chances of getting back into playoff contention. Wacha, the National League pitcher of the month for May, has been one of their best starters, and San Diego is short on major-league-ready options in its farm system. — Lin

“He had a big impact on the clubhouse,” Padres manager Bob Melvin said of Cruz. “I think it’s more about versatility here now. … Unfortunately, we had to make this move today, but everyone loves him and (the) respect (for Cruz) around the league is immense, in this clubhouse, and I’m sure he’s going to catch on somewhere else.”

The Padres signed Cruz to a one-year deal worth $1 million in January. The seven-time All-Star spent last season with the Washington Nationals, hitting 10 home runs with 64 RBIs, and posting a .234 batting average across 124 games in 2022. He has played with eight different teams around the league since making his MLB debut in 2005.

(Photo: Katie Stratman / USA Today)