On July 28, 2002, the Dodgers, in the midst of a pennant race, traded Cruceta with Terry Mulholland and Ricardo Rodríguez to the Cleveland Indians for veteran pitcher Paul Shuey.

John Farrell, then the Indians director of player development, praised Cruceta's mechanics: "He throws the ball on a downward plane.

[5] Cruceta replaced the injured CC Sabathia in the starting rotation, and made his major league debut against the Detroit Tigers on September 21, 2004.

Cruceta gave up five runs in four innings, but did not figure in the decision, as the Indians mounted a comeback and defeated the Tigers 8–7.

Cruceta spent time with the Mariners during 2006 spring training, but opened the year at Tacoma, where he started 28 games and compiled a 13–9 record with an ERA of 4.38 and led the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in strikeouts.

In a start against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in late May, Cruceta pitched eight shutout innings, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out 11.

[11][12] Cruceta was expected to compete for the vacant spots in the Tigers bullpen during spring training 2008, left by Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney after they suffered shoulder injuries.

Cruceta's chances of making the Tigers bullpen was dealt a blow when his visa was withheld, allegedly due to his suspension in 2007.

[13] After returning to the United States, Cruceta was brought up to the Tigers on April 30, 2008, when Jason Grilli was traded to the Colorado Rockies.

On June 3, Cruceta was designated for assignment; after clearing waivers, he joined the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.