Tigers recall – Detroit is recalling switch-hitting utilityman Trei Cruz, the son of Jose Cruz Jr. and the grandson of longtime MLBers Jose Cruz and Jose Cruz Jr. The 27-year-old spent most of the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo, batting .228/.326/.333 with two homers and six
By the time the Tigers make their next move on the field, the Cruz name may come with them.
Detroit is recalling switch-hitting utilityman Trei Cruz, the son and grandson of longtime MLBers Jose Cruz Jr. and Jose Cruz, with multiple reports indicating the promotion is coming. It’s a homecoming of sorts for a family that has lived in baseball’s spotlight for decades—and could soon add another chapter.
Trei, 27, was born in Toronto while his father played for the Blue Jays. In 2026, he spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A Toledo, appearing in 33 games with the Mud Hens. His line there was .228/.326/.333, including two homers and six doubles.
The timing also lands after a busy spring crossroads. Cruz was a candidate to play for Team Canada at this spring’s World Baseball Classic, but chose to focus on securing a role with the Tigers at spring training instead.
Detroit added him through the draft as well. Trei was selected by the Tigers in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
For Jose Cruz Jr. the father in the middle of the story. the Blue Jays years are part of the same thread. Jose Cruz Jr. played for Toronto from 1997 to 2002, suiting up in 698 games, collecting 640 hits and 122 home runs. In 2001. he became just one of two Blue Jays players to join the 30-30 club. hitting 34 home runs and stealing 35 bases.
Now the family’s milestone is within reach. When Trei gets into a game, the Cruz family will become the fifth in MLB history to have grandfather, father and son all reach the majors. The previous four were the Bells, Boones, Colemans and Hairstons.
Even the future keeps its gravity. The Hairstons could become the first four-generation family if top 2027 MLB Draft prospect and 2026 Big 12 Player of the Year Landon makes it to MLB.
Trei Cruz Detroit Tigers Jose Cruz Jr. Jose Cruz Toledo Mud Hens 2026 MLB season switch-hitter World Baseball Classic Team Canada 2020 MLB Draft MLB family milestone
So they’re just calling him up because his grandpa was famous? Kinda wild.
I read Tigers recalling Trei Cruz and thought it meant they recalled a whole team lol. But yeah he’s been in Toledo forever so hopefully he actually hits something up here.
Wait, didn’t the Cruz family play for the Yankees or am I mixing them up? The article says Blue Jays years for the dad but then it’s like, he’s a Tiger now? Just feels like baseball keeps reusing the same last names.
Team Canada World Baseball Classic and then straight to Detroit sounds like he’s doing it for the cameras. .228 is not amazing either, so I’m confused why this is “homecoming” like it’s automatically a good move. Also the whole 30-30 thing from the dad… that was a different era, right? I guess we’ll see.