Rhiner Cruz

Rhiner Cruz
Rhiner Cruz
	Cruz with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Free agent
	Pitcher
	Born: November 1, 1986 (age 38); 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 record	1–3
Earned run average	5.20
Strikeouts	60
NPB statistics ; (through 2015 season)
Win–loss record	3–5
Earned run average	3.45
Strikeouts	66
	Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
	Houston Astros (2012–2013); Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2014–2015); Toronto Blue Jays (2018);

Template:Spanish name 2

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.

Professional career

Detroit Tigers/New York Mets

Cruz began his career with the Detroit Tigers in 2004. The Tigers released Cruz, and he joined the New York Mets in 2007.

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]

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 played for the Spanish national baseball team at the 2009 Baseball World Cup^[4] and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

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, 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. He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.^{[citation needed]}

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 a few days later. On November 2, 2018, Cruz cleared waivers and entered free agency.^[7]

Personal life

He held dual Dominican Republic and Spanish citizenship.^[8]

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

References

^ Houston Astros make New York Mets righty Cruz top pick in Rule 5 draft - ESPN
^ Five pitchers to make first Opening Day roster | astros.com: News
^ joomla. "Rakuten firma al dominicano Rhiner Cruz". Retrieved October 26, 2014.
^ "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.
^ Nicholson-Smith, Ben (January 25, 2018). "Blue Jays sign right-hander Rhiner Cruz to minor-league deal". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
^ "Blue Jays select contracts of right-handers Santos, Cruz". Sportsnet. July 4, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
^ https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/tigers-claim-left-hander-jose-fernandez-blue-jays-create-roster-space/
^ Adam Rubin (June 22, 2011). "Farm report: Mid-90s plenty for Rhiner". ESPN. Retrieved February 10, 2019.

External links

Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or NPB

This biographical article relating to a Dominican Republic baseball pitcher is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[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] . "Rakuten firma al dominicano Rhiner Cruz". Retrieved October 26, 2014.

[4] "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.

[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] ttps://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/tigers-claim-left-hander-jose-fernandez-blue-jays-create-roster-space/

[8] Adam Rubin (June 22, 2011). "Farm report: Mid-90s plenty for Rhiner". ESPN. Retrieved February 10, 2019.

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