The San Diego Padres have added another bat in veteran slugger Nelson Cruz, according to multiple media reports Wednesday.
Cruz, 42, has agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal for the 2023 season, according to the reports, joining a roster that also includes newcomers in shortstop Xander Bogaerts, first baseman Matt Carpenter and center fielder Adam Engel.
A seven-time All-Star and four-time winner of the Silver Slugger, Cruz was a free agent after last season with the Washington Nationals. A designated hitter, the right-handed-hitting Cruz appeared in 124 games and had 448 at-bats, collecting 10 home runs and 64 RBIs while batting .234 with a .313 on-base percentage and .337 slugging percentage.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Cruz got a relatively late start to his major league career, making his debut at age 25 on Sept. 17, 2005, for Milwaukee. Since then, he’s played 18 years combined for the Brewers (one), Texas Rangers (eight), Baltimore Orioles (one), Seattle Mariners (four), Minnesota Twins (three), Tampa Bay Rays (one) and the Nationals (one).
His career statistics include 459 home runs, 1,302 RBIs, 2,018 hits, 1,081 runs, 367 doubles, .274 batting average, .344 OBP and .515 SLG in 2,006 games.
One of the oldest players in the majors, Cruz turns 43 on July 1.
–Field Level Media