Francisco Cruceta

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3+2⁄3 innings on September 26, 2004, in a 6–2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, where Cruceta received the loss. [6]

Cruceta returned to Buffalo for the 2005 season, but doubts developed about his role. He struggled as a starter, and attempts to convert him into a relief pitcher met with mixed results. Manager Marty Brown was open in his criticism of Cruceta's efforts to become a reliever, and acknowledged that, when he had Cruceta start a game in mid-August, "You could see he felt more comfortable in that starting role than out of the bullpen. That's a real positive for him." [7] Just a few days after that start, the Indians designated him for assignment. The Seattle Mariners claimed him off waivers and sent him to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

Seattle Mariners

Cruceta spent time with the Mariners during 2006 spring training, but opened the year at Tacoma, where he started 28 games and compiled a 13–9 record with an ERA of 4.38 and led the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in strikeouts. In a start against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in late May, Cruceta pitched eight shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out 11. [8] Cruceta continued to pitch strongly, but was passed over for the PCL All-Star team, a decision criticized by the Rainiers' manager, Dave Brundage, who called Cruceta "dominant" and said that he had been "snubbed." [9] The Mariners called Cruceta up in September to make a spot start, but he did not get out of the first inning against the Kansas City Royals, giving up five runs, including a grand slam, in one inning of work. Commented Mariners' manager Mike Hargrove: "It was one of those nights. He'll pitch again. Out of the bullpen." [10] Cruceta made three relief appearances, giving up three runs in five innings of work, but at the end of the year waived him. The Texas Rangers claimed Cruceta and assigned him to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks.

Texas Rangers

In 2007, Cruceta was suspended for 50 games at the start of the season for violating the minor league ban on steroids. When he returned though, he performed well for the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, going 3–0 in 25 games, with a 3.02 ERA, while striking out 60 batters in 65+2⁄3 innings. He also pitched well in a winter league stint in the Dominican Winter League for Gigantes del Cibao going 1–1 with a 1.08 ERA. These performances impressed the Detroit Tigers, who signed him on November 30, 2007. [11] [12]

Detroit Tigers

Cruceta was expected to compete for the vacant spots in the Tigers bullpen during spring training 2008, left by Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney after they suffered shoulder injuries. Cruceta's chances of making the Tigers bullpen was dealt a blow when his visa was withheld, allegedly due to his suspension in 2007. After two months of waiting, Cruceta was granted his visa on April 9, allowing for him to come to the U.S. from his native Dominican Republic. [13] After returning to the United States, Cruceta was brought up to the Tigers on April 30, 2008, when Jason Grilli was traded to the Colorado Rockies. Cruceta made 13 appearances for the Tigers, going 0–3 with an ERA of 5.40. On June 3, Cruceta was designated for assignment; after clearing waivers, he joined the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

Foreign career

Cruceta signed with the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization for the 2009 season. He showed fine performances in his first Korean pro league season, going 9–10 with a 4.36 ERA as a starting pitcher.

In June 2011, Crueta was found cheating again, this time by using an illegal substance on his glove. [14] It was discovered by home plate umpire Stephen Lockhart, who promptly tossed him out.

Francisco Cruceta signed a minor league contract with New York Yankees on June 28, 2011 & was waived thereafter. He spent the 2012 season with Rimini Baseball, in Italy, his last professional stop.

He signed with the Saraperos de Saltillo of the Mexican Baseball League for the 2016 season.

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References

  1. ↑ "Francisco Cruceta". Toledo Mud Hens . Retrieved 2008-07-04.
  2. ↑ "Dodgers acquire RHP Shuey from Indians". United Press International . July 22, 2002.
  3. ↑ Hoynes, Paul (November 21, 2002). "Indians single out the best for top 40". The Plain Dealer . p. D1.
  4. ↑ Hoynes, Paul (February 20, 2003). "Prospect watch". The Plain Dealer . p. D5.
  5. ↑ "Third time's a charm for Herd's Tyner". Buffalo News . September 18, 2004. p. B3.
  6. ↑ Priestle, Scott (September 27, 2004). "Youth movement hits speed bump in loss". Columbus Dispatch . p. 09E.
  7. ↑ Harrington, Mike (August 15, 2005). "Cruceta all smiles after surprise start". Buffalo News . p. C7.
  8. ↑ "Cruceta cuts down Sky Sox for Rainiers". Seattle Times . May 30, 2006. p. D8.
  9. ↑ Milles, Todd (July 1, 2006). "Star-like Cruceta rules: Snubbed Rainiers pitcher wins like All-Star". The News Tribune .
  10. ↑ Larue, Larry (September 16, 2006). "Bad start goes good: M's overcome poor start, beat Royals, 11–8". The News Tribune .
  11. ↑ "Tigers well-armed with Rogers; Veteran pitcher signs one-year deal after ditching agent". Grand Rapids Press . December 1, 2007. p. D1.
  12. ↑ Morosi, Jon Paul (December 1, 2007). "Tigers roster virtually set after signing reliever Cruceta, optioning Perez, Shelton". Detroit Free Press .
  13. ↑ Beck, Jason (April 9, 2008). "News: Visa application approved for Cruceta". Detroit Tigers . Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  14. ↑ "SAN ANGELO COLTS: Pitcher Williamson earns second win in victory over Thunder » San Angelo Standard Times Mobile". Archived from the original on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
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Francisco Cruceta
Francisco Cruceta (Rimini) 2012 cropped.jpg
Cruceta playing for Rimini, Italy, in 2012
Starting pitcher
Born: (1981-07-04) July 4, 1981 (age 41)
La Vega, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 21, 2004, for the Cleveland Indians
KBO: April 7, 2009, for the Samsung Lions
Last appearance
MLB: June 2, 2008, for the Detroit Tigers
KBO: October 8, 2010, for the Samsung Lions