Cruz, the Tigers’ third-round pick in the 2020 Draft, is the grandson of former Astros great Jose Cruz and the son of former Gold Glove outfielder José Cruz Jr. When Trei makes his debut, the Cruz family will join the Bells (Gus, Buddy, David and Mike), Boones (Ray, Bob, Bret and Aaron), Colemans (Joe, Joe and Casey) and Hairstons (Sammy, Jerry, Jerry Jr. and Scott) as the fifth family to have three generations play in the Major Leagues.
“Really happy for Trei and Trei’s family,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “From a baseball historical standpoint, how cool is it to have the fifth family that’s going to have three generations of players, some of which have touched this organization? It’s going to be a really, really cool baseball moment for his family and for all of us on the field.”
The Tigers added the 27-year-old Cruz to their 40-man roster last winter following a breakout 2025 season in which he slashed .279/.411/.456 with 33 doubles, 13 home runs, 66 RBIs, 95 runs scored and 17 stolen bases over 127 games between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo. His switch-hitting bat and ability to play all over the infield and outfield fit well into the Tigers’ emphasis on matchups and positional versatility, and he played heavily in Spring Training after opting not to pursue opportunities to play in the World Baseball Classic.
“Trei brings a ton of versatility,” Hinch said. “He’s someone who hasn’t had it easy on his path here. He was obviously drafted high. He’s gone through a lot of ups and downs throughout his career. He’s never lost his resolve. He’s a good dude. He works hard. I know he’s worked on his swing. He’s worked on his defensive versatility. There’s baseball acumen to him.
“He’s had to work his way here. He three-peated [with Double-A] Erie on his way to here. Again, it shows not everybody’s journey to the big leagues is a smooth ride, but I love that he’s tough enough to handle it and work his way to be here.”
Cruz would’ve been a candidate for a callup to Detroit earlier in the season, but a dislocated right knee suffered on a check swing in Toledo in mid-April cost him a month on the injured list during the same time that Gleyber Torres, Kerry Carpenter and others suffered injuries in Detroit.
“Obviously, you try not to think about the opportunities that were maybe missed at that point,” Cruz said a couple weeks ago in Toledo. “But at the same time, I think everything happens for a reason. I think there is a reason that I went to Lakeland. I think I learned a lot about myself and mentoring some of the young guys down there. I think my body got better being down there for a month, and I think there’s a lot of good to come out of my time in Lakeland. I’m really happy that Gage Workman and Hao-Yu Lee were able to get those opportunities up there; those are two guys I pull for.”
Cruz has hit .225/.331/.326 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 38 games this season between Toledo and Single-A Lakeland. He’s batting .279/.347/.465 with the Mud Hens in June after returning from the injury.
“On defense, it’s a little easier to get the rhythm and timing back in rehab games,” Cruz said a couple weeks ago. “But I think just adjusting to getting back into high-level pitching, getting back to being on the fastball, and getting the timing and rhythm part of it is the biggest adjustment.”
His opportunity arrives at long last in the wake of another injury to the Tigers' lineup. Switch-hitting outfielder Wenceel Pérez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left orbital fracture after suffering a freak injury during his postgame workout routine Tuesday when a therapy band snapped off its hook and hit him just below his left eye.
Pérez is not expected to suffer long-term damage to his eyesight, Hinch said. He is expected to be cleared to travel back to Detroit on Friday and undergo further evaluation.
Cruz will become the fifth member of the Tigers’ 2020 Draft class to play for Detroit, joining top overall pick Spencer Torkelson, second-rounder Dillon Dingler, fourth-rounder Gage Workman and fifth-rounder Colt Keith.