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Cruz entered a 4-1 game with two on and two outs in the eighth and struck out Spencer Torkelson to end the threat. He then allowed one run on three singles before closing out the ninth. Cruz has a 7.45 ERA and an 8/8 K/BB in 9 2/3 innings since arriving from the Yankees in the Luis García Jr. trade. The stuff is there to make him probably the Nationals’ most intriguing internal closer candidate next year. They should really aim for some outside help, though.

Cruz struggled in his first few appearances with the Nationals after coming from the Yankees at the trade deadline, but he has pitched to a 2.57 ERA and a 7/5 K/BB in seven appearances at Triple-A Rochester. The command will be a big key in him becoming a more effective reliever.

Cruz earns a ticket back to the minors after allowing five runs over four innings of work since coming over from the Yankees at the trade deadline earlier this month. The 26-year-old has the look and feel of a high-leverage arm, but he’s not quite there yet.

Cruz is going to join the Nationals’ bullpen, with the other four players acquired going to the minors. The 26-year-old right-hander has shown intriguing stuff in his limited time in the majors, with a 1.69 ERA in 5 1/3 innings. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was immediately a high-leverage option for the Nationals. He’s worth a flyer for anyone looking for saves over the final seven weeks.

Cruz takes Camilo Doval’s spot on the roster and in the pen. He’s pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings with a 6/0 K/BB during his time with the Yankees this season.

Cruz returns to the minors after tossing a pair of scoreless innings during Tuesday’s loss to the Tigers. The 26-year-old has put up some impressive numbers at the Triple-A level and has reeled off 4 1/3 shutout frames with the Yankees. He’ll be back in a couple weeks.

Cruz was with the Yankees for two games earlier in the season. On the year, he has a 3.18 ERA and nearly 30 percent strikeout rate in 28 1/3 innings pitched at Triple-A.