Rays placed RHP Juan Cruz on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain.

The timing is convenient, considering that Cruz pitched in Sunday's 16-inning marathon. The 33-year-old right-hander has a 3.44 ERA and 32/21 K/BB ratio over 34 innings of work this season.

Juan Cruz has made the Rays' Opening Day roster.

Rays manager Joe Maddon made it official this afternoon. Cruz was limited to just five appearances last season due to shoulder surgery, but posted allowed just one run over 10 innings this spring while striking out 10 and walking eight. He could prove to be a nice find.

Juan Cruz struck out two in a hitless inning Sunday against the Phillies.

Cruz is coming off shoulder surgery and he was a little late arriving in Rays camp because of visa issues, but he's already caught up to the rest of the team's relievers. He's pitched two hitless innings in camp, so he's very much in the running for a spot in the team's pen.

Juan Cruz is currently delayed from reporting to camp due to visa issues in his native Dominican Republic.

He likely won't show up until Friday. The Rays inked Cruz to a minor league contract earlier this month. The 32-year-old right-hander made five appearances with the Royals last season before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Rays signed RHP Juan Cruz to a minor league contract.

Cruz posted a 3.38 ERA in five appearances last season for the Royals before undergoing season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in mid-May. He's all better now, but the Rays will probably ask him to begin the 2011 season at Triple-A. He posted a 5.72 ERA over 50 1/3 innings in 2009.

Free agent right-hander Juan Cruz will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

Cruz was curiously released by the Royals last month, though there's no indication that the club was aware of the injury when they cut him loose. Cruz had a 3.38 ERA over five appearances this season after posting a 5.72 ERA in '09.

Royals released RHP Juan Cruz.

Because he was simply killing the team with his 3.38 ERA. Wait! What? 3.38 ERA? Yeah, the Royals are giving up on Cruz after just 5 1/3 innings, even though he was dragging down the team's ERA as a whole. In their defense, he had given up nine hits and four walks, leaving him with a 2.44 WHIP. However, he had also struck out seven. Cruz is still throwing 92-95 mph, and while that's down from a couple of years ago, he hardly seems hopeless. We imagine there will be upwards of 20 teams interested in him now that he can be had for the minimum.

According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals have decided to jettison relievers Juan Cruz and Luis Mendoza in favor of Brad Thompson and Bruce Chen.

Yeah, that figures to work out well. Cruz has been a big disappointment for the Royals, but he had allowed just two runs in 5 1/3 innings this season. Keeping him around and hoping that he recovered some trade value wasn't likely to cost the Royals the AL Central crown.

According to Tracy Ringolsby, the Royals are "looking to unload" right-hander Juan Cruz and are willing to pick up salary.

As part of his two-year, $6 million contract with the Royals, Cruz will make $3.25 million this season and would receive a $500,000 buyout if his $4 million option for 2011 is declined. He posted a 5.72 ERA in 46 relief appearances last season and has allowed one run over 4 2/3 innings (1.93 ERA) so far this season.