Luis Cruz is nursing a sore throwing elbow.
He could be placed on the disabled list, as Mark Ellis (quad) is ready to be activated. Cruz is hitting a pathetic .096/.118/.096 this season and has seen his playing time dwindle of late.

Luis Cruz is at risk of being demoted to Triple-A once Mark Ellis and Jerry Hariston return from the disabled list.
Cruz has started a mere four times in the Dodgers' last 17 games, seeing only 21 plate appearances during that span. With Nick Punto and Juan Uribe performing better, and able to handle similar positions defensively, it'll be hard to justify carrying Cruz, who's hitting a paltry .090/.114/.090 with two RBI and a 12/1 K/BB ratio through his first 67 at-bats.

Luis Cruz went 0-for-4 with an RBI groundout against the Brewers on Saturday.
The Dodgers bought into Cruz's nice 78-game run last year, even though everything that came previously said he'd be a lousy major league regular. Now he's 5-for-51 with no extra-base hits, one walk and two RBI this year. He's not this bad, but the Dodgers shouldn't be afraid to drop him from the roster once Hanley Ramirez comes off the DL.

Luis Cruz is starting at shortstop for the Dodgers Wednesday.
Manager Don Mattingly said after Justin Sellers' two-error performance Tuesday that he was still the team's starter at short, but it's obviously telling that he's not in the lineup the next day. Juan Uribe is starting at third base, while Skip Schumaker is getting the call at second in place of Mark Ellis.

Luis Cruz connected for a pair of home runs in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Reds.
Both home runs were off Reds' starter Mike Leake. Cruz ripped a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning and a solo blast in the fourth. While he played third base Friday, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly sees him as the top option to fill in for Hanley Ramirez (thumb) at shortstop. Dee Gordon made the start at shortstop in Friday's game, but he may begin the season with Triple-A Albuquerque.

The Dodgers plan to start Luis Cruz at shortstop.
Cruz was expected to open the 2013 season as the Dodgers' starting third baseman, but Hanley Ramirez tore a ligament in his thumb during the World Baseball Classic so there is now a hole at short. Juan Uribe and Nick Punto will likely handle the load at the hot corner.

The World Baseball Classic has announced that no suspensions will be handed down following Saturday's brawl between Mexico and Canada.
No one will be suspended for any MLB games, either. Team Mexico's Luis Cruz winds up getting off scot-free despite instigating the brawl and throwing the first punch. Seven players were ejected during the game, but Cruz wasn't one of them.

Luis Cruz incited a benches-clearing brawl in Saturday's WBC game between Team Mexico and Team Canada.
Cruz, Mexico's starting third baseman, directed pitcher Arnold Leon to hit Canada's Rene Tosoni with a pitch after Canadian catcher Chris Robinson laid down a successful bunt single with Canada leading 9-3 in the top of the ninth inning. It was a fair bunt by Robinson because having a strong run differential is crucial to advancing out of pool play. Cruz also threw the first punch when the teams met in front of home plate. He seems likely to face a suspension for both the World Baseball Classic and a few regular-season MLB games. The Dodgers probably aren't thrilled.

Luis Cruz ripped a two-run homer in Thursday's win over the Angels.
Cruz, who had missed the last few days with food poisoning, took Jerome Williams deep in the first inning. He has just two hits in his first nine plate appearances this spring, but both have left the yard. Cruz will open 2013 as the Dodgers' third baseman.

Luis Cruz (stomach) is back in the Dodgers' Cactus League lineup on Thursday against the Angels.
Cruz had been out a couple of days with food poisoning. He has ample time to get ready for the regular season.

Luis Cruz has been scratched from Tuesday's Cactus League game.
It's no big deal, as Cruz is only dealing with flu-like symptons. The 29-year-old is expected to open 2013 as the Dodgers' starting third baseman.