Cruz, 26, will join Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero, Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as the latest participants in the annual slugging contest.

Also competing are Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr., Minnesota’s Byron Buxton, Seattle’s Cal Raleigh and Washington’s James Wood.“I’m really, really happy just because that’s what I do,” Cruz said in Kansas City.

His .402 slugging percentage ranks No. 47 in the National League, down from .449 in 2024 and his career mark of .438.The 26-year-old has averaged 27 home runs per 162 games in his career, which got off to a hot start in 2021 and 2022 before injuries knocked him out for most of 2023.