Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz is only a week removed from suffering a right hamstring strain and could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible this weekend. The veteran slugger has posted a rough .651 OPS with only three home runs through 36 games (111 plate appearances) this season with the Padres and might lose some DH looks to the recently acquired Gary Sanchez.

Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 1, with a right hamstring strain.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz suffered the injury while trying to leg out a grounder in the Padres' loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. Maybe some time away can help the veteran slugger reset himself, as he's struggled to a .238/.270/.381 batting line with three home runs through 111 plate appearances this year.

Cruz is dealing with some hamstring soreness after tweaking his leg while running out a grounder during Wednesday's game versus the Marlins, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's seemingly part of the reason why he wasn't in the lineup Thursday versus a lefty, although Cruz's .118 average since May 5 was perhaps also a factor. Gary Sanchez started at designated hitter instead and homered. With both Cruz and Matt Carpenter struggling, Sanchez could potentially siphon some DH at-bats.

Cruz is out of the lineup again Friday versus the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz hasn't drawn a start since Tuesday as he continues to struggle through a brutal month of May. The 42-year-old is batting just .147 with a .342 OPS in 36 plate appearances since the calendar flipped over from April.

Cruz is out of the lineup Thursday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Matt Carpenter will fill the DH role and bat fifth versus the Nats and right-hander Jake Irvin. Cruz, 42, is slashing just .152/.200/.152 with zero home runs through 35 plate appearances in May. He hasn't gone deep since April 29.

Cruz is absent from the lineup Friday versus the Dodgers and right-hander Dustin May.

EDGE Analysis

Xander Bogaerts is getting a turn out of the DH spot and Matt Carpenter will start at first base. Ha-Seong Kim is playing shortstop. Cruz, 42, has tallied only one hit -- a single -- in 14 plate appearances since the calendar flipped to May.

Cruz is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz drew a rare start against a right-hander (Graham Ashcraft) on Tuesday and went 1-for-4 in the Padres' extra-inning loss, but he'll retreat to the bench for the series finale. Matt Carpenter will serve as the Padres' designated hitter Wednesday.

Cruz went 5-for-6 with one double, one homer, four RBI, and one steal in Saturday's win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz had a monster game popping his third homer and collecting his first five-hit game of the season. The designated hitter had a career worst .650 OPS last season in Washington. But the 42-year-old has bounced back with an .839 OPS in 2023.

Cruz went 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI and one run scored in Saturday's victory over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz singled home Juan Soto in the first inning, added a sacrifice fly in the seventh and walked in a run in the eighth. Cruz has hit safely in four straight contests, but it's nice to see some run production after he hadn't recorded an RBI since he drove in six Sunday against Atlanta.

Cruz is serving as the Padres' designated hitter and batting fifth Thursday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Matt Carpenter has typically drawn the DH starts versus right-handed pitching opponents, but Cruz will get the nod Thursday with righty Colin Rea making a spot start for Milwaukee. Cruz is 2-for-3 with a homer in his career against Rea.