Cruz aiming for '23 bounceback after eye surgery

NEW YORK -- At the conclusion of his 18th Major League season, 42-year-old designated hitter Nelson Cruz believes there is more baseball left in his bat.

“I want to keep playing,” Cruz said Wednesday at Citi Field.

Cruz’s season ended differently than he envisioned when he signed with the Nationals during Spring Training in March. He has not appeared in a game since Sept. 13 because of left eye inflammation. His offensive numbers dipped, and he did not advance toward his ultimate career goal of winning a World Series.

“Definitely tough,” Cruz said. “Not even close to what we thought we were going to do. But I guess in a tough moment, tough process, you learn, also. You get to know the real people, because everything can be good when you’re doing good. You get to know the people when everything is the other way. I guess you grow, you get tougher.”

Cruz was tested this season by a left eye problem he estimates has been an issue for almost a year and a half and got worse in September. The inner corner of that eye is inflamed, limiting clear vision to his right eye. He initially thought he could counter it by adjusting his swing, but he ultimately decided to schedule surgery for Oct. 31 to remove the extra skin causing difficulty seeing. He expects to be cleared for baseball activities six to eight weeks later and get back to “100 percent.”

“That would be beautiful to start seeing the baseball again,” Cruz said, adding, “Vision is everything for hitters. But the good thing is, it can be fixed.”

Between that and a handful of other injuries, Cruz appeared in 124 contests for the Nationals, slashing .234/.313/.337 with a .650 OPS, 10 home runs, 16 doubles and 64 RBIs (team high) across 507 plate appearances. This, compared to a .265/.334/.497 slash line with an .831 OPS, 32 homers, 21 doubles and 86 RBIs in 584 plate appearances between the Twins and Rays last season as an All-Star.

“Numbers weren’t what I was expecting,” Cruz said. “Here, it’s about performing. When you perform good, that’s when you get calls from other teams to go and play. But I stayed with the positives. I have to improve the things that I have to get better, and that’s the beauty of life. Hopefully, I have another chance to go and impact.”

Cruz’s mark on the Nationals this season cannot be quantified, though, in statistics. Just as he has done with previous teams, Cruz embraced the veteran leadership role -- including that with lockermate Juan Soto prior to the Trade Deadline -- and took pride in setting a positive example.

Cruz and the Nationals have a mutual option on his contract worth $16 million for 2023. He has not had discussions with the team about it yet. Luke Voit finished the season in the designated hitter role after Cruz was sidelined.

“Hopefully, I can go to a place where I can accomplish the goals that I’m looking for -- win the World Series," he said, adding, “It would be really special. I’ve been there close twice. Hopefully, the third time is the last one. Just being blessed. I would be complete with my career, things that you want to accomplish. That’s the ultimate one.”

As Cruz heads into the winter with uncertainty surrounding next year, he already has a stacked list of offseason plans. Cruz was named general manager of the Dominican Republic’s team in the World Baseball Classic. He had previously pondered a combo player role, but he will stick with front office duties.

“I don’t think I made the team,” he said with a smile. “First of all, I have to be honest with myself. It’s not fair to have so many good players there that did a really good job, and better than me.”

Cruz will remain in New York City the first day of the offseason to host a baseball clinic through his Boomstick23 Foundation. When he returns to the Dominican Republic, he will work toward completing an educational computer facility in his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz. Those who attend will be able to study occupations such as plumbing, construction and mechanics and receive employment from the government upon earning their diploma.

“They will have a job right away,” he said. “That will be amazing. That’s huge for my hometown.”

Cruz’s efforts will also include continuing Hurricane Ian relief, bringing doctors and dentists to local areas for medical appointments, adding a roof to a baseball field and finishing the construction of another one. A charitable event in December will raise proceeds to be shared between his foundation and that of Pedro Martinez.

Expanding the philanthropic reach of the Boomstick23 Foundation, Cruz will visit Israel to host clinics and teach beteyah, also known as vitilla or stickball.

“He’s unbelievable, he really is,” said manager Dave Martinez. “You think about him and you think about the guy that I grew up idolizing in Roberto Clemente -- a lot of similarities there, really. He’s been awesome, not only on the baseball field, but off the field, teaching young players in the clubhouse, teaching them how to act in the clubhouse. He’s been all of that. I was blessed to have him, and we’ll see where the future lies for him.”