If you’re an Atlanta Braves fan, you might remember Jesús Cruz’s brief stint in the bullpen back in 2022. He’s back in the mix, this time with the Los Angeles Angels, and there’s a chance he could be toeing the rubber against his former team this summer.
According to Inside Halos, the Angels have signed Cruz to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. That means he’s got a shot—albeit a long one—at making the big-league roster.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at Cruz’s winding road back to Major League Baseball.
A Rocky Road in the Majors
Cruz’s time in the big leagues has been anything but smooth. After making a single appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2020, he resurfaced with the Braves in 2022, posting a 6.23 ERA in seven outings.
The strikeout numbers were decent—six in 8.2 innings—but the rest of the stat line was rough. Three home runs allowed and four walks didn’t help his case, and by the following year, he was off the MLB radar.
The Phillies took a chance on Cruz in 2023, but he never made it out of Triple-A. By July, Philadelphia released him, leaving him without a home in professional baseball. That’s when he decided to take his talents south of the border.
A Career Revival in Mexico
If Cruz struggled in MLB, he thrived in the Mexican League. Pitching for Mexicali, he found a rhythm that had eluded him in the majors, finishing with a stellar 1.95 ERA, a 0.866 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts in just 32.1 innings.
Across three different teams from 2024-25, Cruz maintained an impressive 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings, proving he still had the stuff to compete at a high level.
This performance caught the attention of the Angels, who are now giving him another shot at the majors. The question is whether he can translate his success in Mexico to the big leagues.
A Possible Showdown with the Braves
The Angels’ bullpen has plenty of competition, so making the roster will be difficult. Cruz’s past struggles in the majors must prove he belongs.
There’s a chance he could face his old team in July when the Angels visit the Braves for a three-game series from July 1-3.
The Braves never had to face Cruz when he was with the Phillies, but they might get their shot this time.
