Yankees' Cruz focuses on development over immediate results

Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz has made many changes this spring as he prepares for the upcoming season. After being traded from the Reds to the Yankees in the offseason, Cruz has adjusted his pitching style and even his wardrobe. Cruz’s spring training has been different because he does not feel pressured about his performance. He is focused on improving his skills rather than worrying about statistics. At 34 years old, Cruz has had a long journey in baseball, switching from shortstop to pitcher. This year, he is dedicated to working on his craft without the stress of securing a roster spot. Even with a high ERA of 9.95 in spring games, Cruz does not let it bother him. He has learned from his past performances and believes he is ready for the season. The Yankees have helped him refine his pitches, dropping his cutter and adding a sinker and slider to better utilize his strong splitter. Cruz has also changed his uniform by wearing sleeves, which he believes will help him focus more on attacking hitters. While he finds the sleeves somewhat restrictive, he expects to adapt quickly. As the regular season approaches, he knows he must improve his command and limit walks and home runs. Cruz is optimistic about the Yankees' bullpen this year. He feels they have a strong group of pitchers and is excited to be a part of it. As the Yankees prepare for Opening Day, Cruz is ready to prove himself on the mound.