Cruz went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, six RBI and two runs during Sunday's 10-2 win against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger launched a three-run homer to left center during the third inning, hit an RBI double in the fifth and also delivered a two-run single in the sixth. Cruz isn't playing every day as Sunday was just his fifth game of the season, but the 42-year-old has still provided plenty of production by going 7-for-20 with two home runs, two doubles, nine RBI and three runs.

Cruz went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI during Friday's 5-4 win against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran slugger started the scoring with an RBI double in the opening frame, and he brought home another run via an infield single an inning later. Cruz appears to be filling the small-side of a platoon at designated hitter and is 4-for-16 with a home run and three RBI in four games.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 8-6 loss against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

He took a poorly-located Zac Gallen fastball over the wall in left field to become the second-oldest player in Padres history with a long ball, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. The 42-year-old Cruz still has impressive power, but he has not yet made a start against a right-handed pitcher this season (Cruz entered Tuesday's game after Manny Machado was ejected for arguing about a pitch clock violation in the first inning). Expect Cruz to continue seeing most of his starts against lefties for the time being.

Cruz (eye) is starting at designated hitter and batting fourth in Friday's Cactus League opener versus the Mariners, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz joined the Padres in early January after he spent 2022 with the Nationals, recording 10 homers, 64 RBI, 50 runs and four stolen bases in 448 at-bats over 124 contests while batting .234 on the year, his lowest average since 2007. Considering he's 42 years old and appears to be in the twilight of his career, Cruz isn't expected to operate as an everyday option in San Diego. Instead he'll likely platoon with Matt Carpenter at designated hitter and face left-handers almost exclusively in 2023. That being said, while Fernando Tatis serves his 20-game suspension to start the campaign, Cruz could garner an extended look in the Padres' lineup.

Cruz (eye) agreed Wednesday with the Padres on a one-year deal, Hector Gomez of Z101Digital.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com, Cruz's deal is for just $1 million, with the 42-year-old's downturn in performance in 2022 along with his desire to play for a potential World Series contender resulting in him taking a $14 million paycut from the year prior. After several years of defying the aging curve, Cruz finally looked mortal in Washington last season, slashing .234/.313/.337 with a career-low .103 ISO and a 23.6 percent strikeout rate over his 504 plate appearances. The seven-time All-Star ended up missing the Nationals' final 20 games of the season and ultimately needed offseason surgery to address an infection in his left eye, but he should be ready to go for spring training. With San Diego, Cruz is likely to see most of his opportunities against left-handed pitching, perhaps as part of a platoon at designated hitter with the lefty-hitting Matt Carpenter. However, while Fernando Tatis serves a suspension for the first 20 games of the season, the Padres could look to have Carpenter play some left field, which would open up more at-bats for Cruz versus righties to begin the year.

The Nationals declined Cruz's (eye) $16 million mutual option for 2023 on Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the terms of the deal he signed with the Nationals last March, Cruz will receive a $3 million buyout and net $15 million in total for his lone season in Washington. After years of defying the aging curve, the 42-year-old Cruz slowed down in 2022. He slashed .234/.313/.337 in 507 plate appearances while ending with an 85 wRC+, his first time finishing below 100 since 2007. Cruz underwent surgery earlier this offseason to address an infection in his left eye that prevented him from playing in the Nationals' final 20 games, but he should be ready to resume baseball activities in December. The designated hitter thus far hasn't signaled that he plans to retire, and his strong track record prior to last season could be enough for him to land a one-year MLB deal in free agency this winter.

Cruz's eye surgery went well, the veteran announced on his personal Twitter page Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz is 42 years old and is coming off a season in which he hit .234/.313/.337, with his 85 wRC+ standing as his lowest mark since 2007. He has no plans to retire, however, so he'll be looking to convince a team that his down year was due more to his eye issues than his age. He'll resume baseball activities sometime in the second half of December and seemingly has enough time to get up to speed by the start of next season.

Cruz, who isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets, will undergo surgery on his left eye around the end of October, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz hasn't played since Sept. 13 due to inflammation in the inner corner of his left eye, but manager Dave Martinez suggested that the 42-year-old could appear as a pinch hitter during Wednesday's regular-season finale. Regardless of whether Cruz appears in Wednesday's matchup, he'll undergo a procedure around the end of the month and expects to resume baseball activities 6-8 weeks later. He doesn't have plans to retire following the season, and it seems possible that he'll be ready to play in time for spring training in 2023.

Cruz (eye) isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz has been sidelined over the last several weeks due to a left eye infection, and he'll remain on the bench for Wednesday's season finale. The 42-year-old has slashed .234/.313/.337 with 10 home runs, 64 RBI, 50 runs and four steals in 2022, but he could still log one more plate appearance before the season ends. According to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com, manager Dave Martinez said that Cruz may feel well enough to make a pinch-hitting appearance Wednesday.

Cruz (eye) is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cruz hasn't seen the field since Sept. 13 due to left eye inflammation, and his absence will continue in Tuesday's nightcap. It's unclear if the 42-year-old will be available for Wednesday's season finale.