Rhiner Cruz

Rhiner Allen Cruz Montero (born November 1, 1986) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. He played for Team Spain in the 2019 European Baseball Championship. He played for the team at the Africa/Europe 2020 Olympic Qualification tournament, in Italy in September 2019.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cruz and the second or maternal family name is Montero.
Rhiner Cruz
Cruz with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1986-11-01) November 1, 1986
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 7, 2012, for the Houston Astros
NPB: June 11, 2014, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record1–3
Earned run average5.20
Strikeouts60
NPB statistics
(through 2015 season)
Win–loss record3–5
Earned run average3.45
Strikeouts66
Teams

Professional career

Detroit Tigers

Cruz began his career with the Detroit Tigers in 2004. He spent the 2004 and 2005 seasons with the GCL Tigers. He was released after the 2005 season.

New York Mets

Cruz signed with the New York Mets organization for the 2007 season. In 2007, he played for the DSL Mets, GCL Mets, and Kingsport Mets. In 2008, Cruz played for the Brooklyn Cyclones and Savannah Sand Gnats. For 2009, Cruz played for Savannah the entirety of the season. In 2010, he was assigned to the St. Lucie Mets, where he would spend the entire season. In 2011, he spent time with St. Lucie, and the Binghamton Mets.

Houston Astros

Cruz was selected by the Astros the first overall selection of the 2011 Rule 5 draft.[1] Cruz was named to the Astros' Opening Day roster.[2] Cruz spent the 2012 season in the majors for the Astros. He also played parts of the 2013 season in the majors as well. On December 23, 2013, Cruz was sent outright to the Oklahoma City RedHawks, and off of the 40-man roster. He began 2016 with the RedHawks before he released on June 2, 2014, to pursue an opportunity in Japan.

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

In June 2014, the Astros permitted Cruz to sign with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball.[3] Cruz would finish the 2014 season with the Eagles. Cruz also played the 2015 season with the Eagles before becoming a free agent at seasons end.

Leones de Yucatan

On April 30, 2016, Cruz signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. He was released on May 15, 2016.

Vaqueros Laguna

On May 18, 2016, Cruz signed with the Vaqueros Laguna, and was released on May 22.

Atlanta Braves

On December 13, 2016, Cruz signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves organization. He spent the year 2017 with the Triple–A Gwinnett Braves, making 40 appearances and recorded a 2.84 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 5 saves in 50+2⁄3 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[4]

Toronto Blue Jays

Cruz signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on January 25, 2018, and received an invitation to spring training.[5] On July 4, 2018, Cruz had his contract selected and was added to the active roster.[6] He pitched two shutout innings in relief that night against the New York Mets. He was placed on the disabled list with a groin injury a few days later and would not return that season. On November 2, 2018, Cruz cleared waivers and entered free agency.[7]

Nettuno Baseball Club

On July 8, 2021, Cruz signed with the Nettuno Baseball Club of the Italian Baseball League (IBL).[8] Cruz made 4 appearances for Nettuno, tallying 15 strikeouts and 1 save across 6.0 scoreless innings.

Piratas de Campeche

On June 23, 2022, Cruz was signed by the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League.[9] He was released on March 28, 2023.[10]

International career

Cruz played for the Spanish national baseball team at the 2009 Baseball World Cup[11] and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

In 2022, Cruz was selected to represent Spain at the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualification.[12]

Personal life

He held dual Dominican Republic and Spanish citizenship.[13]

Cruz' brother, José, also plays for the Spanish national team.

References
  1. Houston Astros make New York Mets righty Cruz top pick in Rule 5 draft – ESPN
  2. Five pitchers to make first Opening Day roster | astros.com: News
  3. joomla. "Rakuten firma al dominicano Rhiner Cruz". Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  4. "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  5. Nicholson-Smith, Ben (January 25, 2018). "Blue Jays sign right-hander Rhiner Cruz to minor-league deal". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  6. "Blue Jays select contracts of right-handers Santos, Cruz". Sportsnet. July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  7. "Blue Jays create 40-man flexibility by clearing five pitchers off roster - Sportsnet.ca".
  8. "Baseball - Il Nettuno rinforza il monte di lancio: arriva Rhiner Cruz". ilgranchio.it. July 8, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  9. "Nuevo pirata Rhiner Cruz". Piratas de Campeche. June 23, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  10. Rhiner Cruz Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball
  11. "España se queda a las puertas del segundo puesto de su grupo en la Copa del Mundo de béisbol" (in Spanish). Barcelona, Spain: Marca. EFE. September 11, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  12. "Relación de deportistas convocados World Baseball Classic Qualifier WBCQ 2022" (PDF). Real Federación Española de Béisbol y Sófbol (in Spanish). Retrieved October 13, 2022.
  13. Adam Rubin (June 22, 2011). "Farm report: Mid-90s plenty for Rhiner". ESPN. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
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