On May 23, 2011, the Cardinals called Cruz up for the first time to the major leagues when they placed Gerald Laird on the 15-day disabled list (DL) with a right index finger fracture.

[citation needed] Cruz spent the majority of the 2013 season as the Cardinals primary backup to Yadier Molina and a pinch hitter.

However, on August 15, 2013 - one day after Molina's return from the DL - the Cardinals announced Cruz was going onto the disabled list with a stress fracture of his left forearm.

[4] On December 2, 2015, the Cardinals traded Cruz to their cross-state rivals, the Kansas City Royals for minor leaguer José Martínez.

He was assigned to the El Paso Chihuahuas, where he would spend the entire season, playing in 51 games and hitting .280/.341/.458 with 7 home runs and 27 RBI.