Luis Cruz has signed a one-year contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League.

Cruz will make $750,000 in the deal. The 29-year-old enjoyed some surprising success in 2012, but he batted just .145/.190/.179 in 187 plate appearances between the Dodgers and Yankees this past season.

Yankees released INF Luis Cruz.

Cruz was designated for assignment last week to open up a 40-man roster spot for Mark Reynolds. Cruz is still working his way back from a right knee sprain but could draw some free agent interest once he's healthy.

Yankees designated INF Luis Cruz for assignment.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for Mark Reynolds. Cruz, currently sidelined with a right knee sprain, batted .182 (10-for-55) with one double and five RBI in 16 games with New York.

Yankees placed INF Luis Cruz on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 23, with a right knee sprain.

Cruz suffered the injury Monday and will require some extended rest. David Adams has been called up to replace him on the active roster.

Luis Cruz is expected to be placed on the disabled list with a right knee injury.

Cruz suffered the injury Monday and hasn't improved much over the last 24 hours. He's batted only .182/.224/.200 over 16 games since joining the Yankees.

Luis Cruz was hitless in four at-bats Saturday against the Twins.

Cruz is hitting just .225 (9-for-30) with one double and an 11/0 K/BB ratio over 11 games since joining the Yankees earlier this month. He's at risk for getting the boot from the roster once Jayson Nix (hamstring) is ready to return.

Yankees signed INF Luis Cruz.

Cruz will report to the Yankees on Wednesday night. He was designated for assignment by the Dodgers in late June after batting just .127/.175/.169 over his first 129 plate appearances. The third baseman could see semi-regular playing time in New York but is doubtful to suddenly take on fantasy value.

Luis Cruz has elected free agency.

Cruz had been designated for assignment over the weekend and has declined his outright to Triple-A Albuquerque. He batted just .127/.175/.169 batting line through 128 plate appearances before the Dodgers sent him out but shouldn't have trouble catching on with a minor league deal elsewhere.

Dodgers designated INF Luis Cruz for assignment.

It was only a matter of time. The Dodgers were hoping that Cruz would be able to duplicate his success from last season, but he has registered a weak .127/.175/.169 batting line through 128 plate appearances this season. Scott Van Slyke has been activated from the disabled list and will take his place on the active roster.

Luis Cruz returned to the Dodgers' lineup Friday against the Rockies.

Cruz missed Thursday's game, but his elbow injury no longer appears to be a concern. He finished 0-for-4 with a run scored. Cruz will continue to start at shortstop for now, but his roster spot could be in jeopardy when Hanley Ramirez returns from the DL.

Luis Cruz hit his first homer of the season Tuesday, a two-run shot off the Angels' Joe Blanton.

Cruz's job is on the line this week, as he's the obvious candidate to be dropped from the Dodgers roster when Hanley Ramirez comes off the DL. Going into tonight, he was 8-for-76 with no extra-base hits this season, giving him a .105/.138/.105 line.

Luis Cruz is nursing a sore throwing elbow.

He could be placed on the disabled list, as Mark Ellis (quad) is ready to be activated. Cruz is hitting a pathetic .096/.118/.096 this season and has seen his playing time dwindle of late.

Luis Cruz is at risk of being demoted to Triple-A once Mark Ellis and Jerry Hariston return from the disabled list.

Cruz has started a mere four times in the Dodgers' last 17 games, seeing only 21 plate appearances during that span. With Nick Punto and Juan Uribe performing better, and able to handle similar positions defensively, it'll be hard to justify carrying Cruz, who's hitting a paltry .090/.114/.090 with two RBI and a 12/1 K/BB ratio through his first 67 at-bats.

Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 with an RBI groundout against the Brewers on Saturday.

The Dodgers bought into Cruz's nice 78-game run last year, even though everything that came previously said he'd be a lousy major league regular. Now he's 5-for-51 with no extra-base hits, one walk and two RBI this year. He's not this bad, but the Dodgers shouldn't be afraid to drop him from the roster once Hanley Ramirez comes off the DL.

Luis Cruz is starting at shortstop for the Dodgers Wednesday.

Manager Don Mattingly said after Justin Sellers' two-error performance Tuesday that he was still the team's starter at short, but it's obviously telling that he's not in the lineup the next day. Juan Uribe is starting at third base, while Skip Schumaker is getting the call at second in place of Mark Ellis.

Luis Cruz connected for a pair of home runs in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Reds.

Both home runs were off Reds' starter Mike Leake. Cruz ripped a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning and a solo blast in the fourth. While he played third base Friday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly sees him as the top option to fill in for Hanley Ramirez (thumb) at shortstop. Dee Gordon made the start at shortstop in Friday's game, but he may begin the season with Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers plan to start Luis Cruz at shortstop.

Cruz was expected to open the 2013 season as the Dodgers' starting third baseman, but Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb during the World Baseball Classic so there is now a hole at short. Juan Uribe and Nick Punto will likely handle the load at the hot corner.

The World Baseball Classic has announced that no suspensions will be handed down following Saturday's brawl between Mexico and Canada.

No one will be suspended for any MLB games, either. Team Mexico's Luis Cruz winds up getting off scot-free despite instigating the brawl and throwing the first punch. Seven players were ejected during the game, but Cruz wasn't one of them.

Luis Cruz incited a benches-clearing brawl in Saturday's WBC game between Team Mexico and Team Canada.

Cruz, Mexico's starting third baseman, directed pitcher Arnold Leon to hit Canada's Rene Tosoni with a pitch after Canadian catcher Chris Robinson laid down a successful bunt single with Canada leading 9-3 in the top of the ninth inning. It was a fair bunt by Robinson because having a strong run differential is crucial to advancing out of pool play. Cruz also threw the first punch when the teams met in front of home plate. He seems likely to face a suspension for both the World Baseball Classic and a few regular-season MLB games. The Dodgers probably aren't thrilled.

Luis Cruz ripped a two-run homer in Thursday's win over the Angels.

Cruz, who had missed the last few days with food poisoning, took Jerome Williams deep in the first inning. He has just two hits in his first nine plate appearances this spring, but both have left the yard. Cruz will open 2013 as the Dodgers' third baseman.