Former outfielder José Cruz Jr. is joining the Detroit Tigers’ coaching staff. The team announced Tuesday that Cruz will focus on hitting instruction.
He played 12 years in the majors from 1997-2008. This is Cruz’s first spot on a big league coaching staff.
After retiring as a player, he joined the MLBPA’s player services department in 2013 and later was a television analyst for ESPN. His son, Trei, was drafted by the Tigers in the third round this year.
Cruz’s father was a two-time All-Star outfielder with Houston during a 19-year major league career.
