Cards release Cruz, demote Duncan

Thursday, March 30, 2006
JUPITER, Fla. -- Infielder Devi Cruz was released Wednesday by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Signed to an $850,000 non-guaranteed contract in December, Cruz hit just .146 in 41 at-bats with one home run and two RBIs in spring training. He will receive $209,016 in termination pay.

Cruz was cut before the Cardinals played the Florida Marlins in an exhibition game and was unavailable for comment.

St. Louis optioned outfielder John Gall and first baseman/outfielder Chris Duncan to Class AAA Memphis. Earlier in the week, the Cardinals released reliever Jeff Nelson and utility player Brian Daubach.

Gall hit .207 with one homer and 10 RBIs. Duncan, the son of pitching coach Dave Duncan, was one of the surprises of camp with a .273 average, four homers and 11 RBIs. That total included a homer off the Yankees' Randy Johnson.

Manager Tony La Russa also said rookie right-hander Adam Wainwright had made the team's bullpen. Three relievers are competing for the final bullpen spot: Josh Hancock, Alan Benes and Brian Falkenborg. There also are five players competing for four spots on the bench.

Cruz had been competing for an infield spot with Junior Spivey and Aaron Miles. Spivey is likely to be the opening-day starter despite a .145 average and four errors.

Duncan got 77 spring training at-bats, high on the team.

-- AP