Angels Sign Former Braves, Cardinals Pitcher in Free Agency

Feb 25, 2021; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jesus Cruz (60) throws during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, USA; Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a minor league deal with former Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals right-handed Jesús Cruz.

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Cruz hasn't pitched in Major League Baseball since 2022, spending the last two seasons in the Mexican League.

The #Angels have signed RHP Jesús Cruz to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Cruz, 29, last pitched in the major leagues in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves. He's been in the Mexican league since then. Last season, he had a 1.95ERA in 32.1 IP w/ 53 K's. pic.twitter.com/DAMuq4PuZf

— InsideHalos (@InsideHalos) March 1, 2025

Cruz was an international signing for St. Louis in the 2017-18 July class, spending some time in the Mexican League before joining the Cardinals organization.

The righty was really only in the big leagues with the Cardinals for a cup of coffee as he pitched one inning in one game.

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Cruz signed on with the Braves before the 2021 season and didn't reach the big leagues again until 2022. He appeared in seven games and gave up six earned runs on eight hits in 8.2 innings. He elected free agency at the end of the season and spent 2023 in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

As a minor leaguer, Cruz has a career record of 21-15 with a 4.31 earned run average. He has appeared in 203 games, making 18 starts and notching nine saves with 350 strikeouts across 275.1 innings of work.

Outside of Major League Baseball organizations, Cruz has spent several season in Mexico and appeared for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.

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Last season with Charros de Jalisco, Cruz had a 1.95 ERA in 32.1 inning pitched with 53 strikeouts.

¡𝐄𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐨! Jesús Cruz 🤠 va a prueba con los @angels en el Spring Training ¡Mucho Éxito paisa! ⚾️🔥🦅#SiempreÁguilas pic.twitter.com/gEYKEuo5Xh

— Águilas de Mexicali (@AguilasDeMxli) February 28, 2025

CRUZ FIRMÓ CON ANGELS

El relevista potosino Jesús Cruz, quien tuvo un tremendo invierno, firmó contrato de ligas menores con invitación al spring training con los @Angels.

Cruz ya lanzó en Grandes Ligas con San Luis (2020 y Atlanta (2022).#LaCasaDelRey pic.twitter.com/CanPAS4JH6

— Beisbolpuro (@Beisbolpuro) February 28, 2025

De acuerdo a reportes, el potosino Jesús Cruz fue firmado por los Angels y estará invitado en el Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/OnM9Ixffc0

— MLB México (@MLB_Mexico) March 1, 2025

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