Cruz earned the final spot in the Padres bullpen to open the season, but is headed back to the minors with the need for a fresh arm in the bullpen. He had a 4.91 ERA in 3 2/3 innings for San Diego this year.

Cruz was optioned to the minors earlier this month, but winds up getting the final spot on San Diego’s season-opening roster. He’ll operate in middle relief for the Padres.

Cruz, 21, posted a 2.73 ERA and 76/19 K/BB ratio in 56 innings over 12 starts between Low-A Tri City and Class A Fort Wayne in 2019. He has a chance to make it as a back-end starter in the majors.