Steven Cruz
P KC
Fri 9/19/25 3:09 PM

The Royals activated Cruz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz has been on the shelf since Aug. 3 due to tendinitis in his throwing shoulder, but he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The 26-year-old made four appearances during a minor-league rehab stint, allowing three hits and no walks with four strikeouts across 4.1 innings. Lucas Erceg (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Thu 9/18/25 11:17 AM

Cruz (shoulder) struck out two and gave up a hit and no walks over 1.1 innings in a rehab appearance for Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz has yet to allow a run in four rehab outings with Triple-A Omaha as he works back from right shoulder tendinitis. Before the injury, he posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 42.1 innings in 43 appearances out of Kansas City's bullpen. A return to the majors should come soon, giving the club a fresh relief option after a taxing series against Seattle.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Tue 9/9/25 12:09 PM

Cruz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz has missed more than a month of action with right shoulder tendinitis but is ready to test things out in a game setting. As long as things go well, the righty reliever shouldn't require too many rehab outings before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Mon 9/1/25 8:55 AM

Cruz (shoulder) threw a bullpen session of about 20 pitches Saturday, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz has now completed two side sessions since landing on the injured list Aug. 3 and is expected to increase the volume and intensity of his bullpen work during the upcoming week before advancing to facing live hitters. The right-hander will likely require a rehab assignment prior to being activated from the injured list but could be ready to rejoin the Kansas City bullpen around mid-September.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Thu 8/28/25 11:14 AM

Cruz (shoulder) threw a light bullpen Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz took a step forward in his rehab for right shoulder tendinitis, throwing a short bullpen session of 15 to 20 pitches. The right-hander had previously been limited to flat-ground work from about 75 feet, so this progression is encouraging. While the Royals haven't provided a firm timeline, a late-season return remains on the table.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Fri 8/22/25 11:16 AM

Cruz (shoulder) is throwing from about 75 feet and is in the beginning stages of his throwing progression, MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz was placed on the injured list Aug. 3 with right shoulder tendinitis and, per manager Matt Quatraro, is still in the early stages of his rehab. While no firm return date has been set, the slow pace of his recovery suggests the 26-year-old is more likely to return sometime in September than by the end of August.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Sun 8/10/25 2:24 AM

Cruz (shoulder) is set to be reevaluated Monday to determine if a throwing program can be started, per MLB.com.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz landed on the injured list August 3 and received an injection the following day for a right shoulder injury labeled as tendonitis. Before hitting the shelf, the right-hander had climbed the ranks in the Royals bullpen, opening the year with 13 scoreless outings before leveling off to a 3.61 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 43 appearances (42.1 innings).

Steven Cruz
P KC
Mon 8/4/25 5:52 PM

Cruz got an injection in his right shoulder Monday and could be cleared to play catch early next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz is working through shoulder tendinitis, which caused him to be placed on the Royals' 15-day injured list Sunday. Monday's injection was done to speed up the recovery process, and how his shoulder feels this week will determine when he takes the next step in his throwing program. Cruz posted a 3.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and seven holds over 42.1 innings this season prior to his injury.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Sun 8/3/25 12:25 PM

The Royals placed Cruz on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right shoulder impingement.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz departed Saturday's game against the Blue Jays due to the injury and will be sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks. Daniel Lynch (elbow) was reinstated from the IL in a corresponding move to round out Kansas City's bullpen.

Steven Cruz
P KC
Sat 8/2/25 5:57 PM

Cruz was removed from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays with right shoulder discomfort, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cruz gave up a hit and a walk in the seventh inning before his shoulder forced him to leave the game without recording an out. There's no word yet on the severity of his injury, but the Royals should offer some more details after they get a closer look at him.