June 6, 2008 The Astros designated Jose Cruz Jr. for assignment Friday. Cruz was hitting just .122 and had only one extra-base hit in 49 at-bats. The team has recalled Reggie Abercrombie from Triple-A Round Rock to replace Cruz on the roster.
Our View:This was surely a tough decision for manager Cecil Cooper, since Jose's father is the manager's close friend and the team's first base coach. But Cruz's performance certainly warranted the move.
April 4, 2008 Jose Cruz Jr. went 1-for-3 with a run on Thursday, as he started in place of a resting Michael Bourn. "I talked to Bourn (Wednesday), and I told him it didn't matter if he went 4-for-4, we're going to get Cruz in there and get him some at-bats," manager Cecil Cooper tells the Houston Chronicle. Fantasy owners need not be worried about Bourn's health or status as a starter.
March 30, 2008 Jose Cruz Jr made the Astros' opening day roster, according to the Houston Chronicle. Cruz earned his spot as he hit .364 with a team-leading 11 doubles and 20 RBIs over spring training. He stated, "It's definitely new life. I've got the guy that probably knows me the best and has been correcting me and improving me my whole life in my father. We've been working really hard together." Cruz was notably a non-roster invitee and it is nice to see him land a bench job with the team.
March 26, 2008 Jose Cruz Jr went 1-for-1 with two RBI against Cleveland on Wednesday, and now has 18 RBI for the spring. He also holds a .350 average while he competes for a bench job.
November 28, 2007 Jose Cruz Jr inked a minor-league contract with the Astros on Wednesday, according to the AP. Cruz, who hit .234 with six homers in 256 at-bats in 2007, will compete for a reserve outfield job with Houston in the spring.
