The Baltimore Orioles have signed left-handed pitcher Naykel Cruz, according to Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com.
Cruz, 26, played in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2021 and 2022 U-23 Baseball World Cups for Cuba, as well as playing four seasons in the Serie Nacional with Matanzas, a season in the Cuban Elite League with Centrales, and part of a season in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol with the Piratas de Campeche.
According to BeisbolFR.com, Cruz left Cuba for the Dominican Republic in February 2024, seeking free agency and a contract with a Major League Baseball organization.
Per sources: Cuban left-handed pitcher and free agent Naykel Cruz (26) is in an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles, pending a physical.
Cruz represented Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, two U-23 World Cups (2021, 2022) and has several seasons of experience in Cuba. pic.twitter.com/xYpOhCHaaQ
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) May 7, 2025
Standing six feet tall and weighing 180 pounds, Cruz last pitched during the 2023-24 Serie Nacional season with Matanzas, where, as a 23-year-old, he went 7-2 with a 3.24 ERA in 16 starts, throwing 83 1/3 innings with 73 strikeouts and 58 walks in what was by far his best season on the island. In total, he threw 241 1/3 innings in the Serie Nacional, all with Matanzas, striking out 255 and walking 166 with a career ERA of 4.18.
At the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Cruz made one appearance, throwing 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run on one hit.
Romero reported that the Orioles will likely start Cruz’s journey to the Major Leagues with either the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds or the Double-A Chesapeake BaySox.
