Saturday morning reports had Cruz and the Orioles "working hard" to complete a deal. That materialized into a one-year, $8 million agreement pending a physical. He'll earn an extra $750,000 for being on the active roster most of the season, according to ESPN. 

Cruz had a qualifying offer, which attaches a draft pick to his signing. He hit .266 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI last season around his 50-game Biogenesis suspension. He'd been linked to the Mariners every few weeks during the offseason. 

Heyman reports the Orioles are also talking to Kendrys Morales and have "remained in contact" with pitcher Ervin Santana. 


PHILLES SPEAK ON SUSPENSION


The Philadelphia Phillies played tattletale and got Oregon State pitcher Ben Wetzler suspended by the NCAA for an eligibility issue.

They reportedly turned in Wetzler, their own draft pick, to the NCAA for the violation. Two days later the organization released its statement. 

"The Phillies did participate in the NCAA investigation and a ruling has been issued," it read. "We believe it is inappropriate to comment further on either the negotiation with the player or the action taken by the NCAA."

Players reportedly use agents to negotiate contract terms while in school on a consistent basis. Wetzler was given an 11-game suspension for "use of an agent during the 2013 Major League Baseball draft."

The NCAA's statement:

"Oregon State University baseball student-athlete Ben Wetzler must miss 11 games (20 percent of the season) due to his involvement with an agent during the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. According to the facts of the case, which were agreed upon by the school and the NCAA, Wetzler sought help from an agent who attended meetings where Wetzler negotiated contract terms with the team.

NCAA rules allow a baseball student-athlete to receive advice from a lawyer or agent regarding a proposed professional sports contract. However, if the student-athlete is considering returning to an NCAA school, that advisor may not negotiate on behalf of a student-athlete or be present during discussions of a contract offer, including phone calls, email or in-person conversations. Along with the school, a student-athlete is responsible for maintaining his eligibility.

When an NCAA member school discovers a rules violation has occurred involving a student-athlete, it must declare the student-athlete ineligible and may ask the NCAA to restore eligibility. Oregon State submitted its reinstatement request Feb. 18. The NCAA then worked with the school to finalize the facts of the case. The NCAA provided the school and student-athlete with a decision today, Feb. 21."

Wetzler, to his credit, is taking it in stride. The pitcher tweeted, "No one goes through life without overcoming some sort of adversity! Just a little bump in the road..."


GARCIA HAS SHOULDER DISCOMFORT


The Cardinals are sending Jaime Garcia back to St. Louis for testing.

The lefty felt renewed discomfort in his shoulder Saturday morning, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He'll leave spring training to get an MRI and meet with his surgeon in St. Louis after he expressed concern about soreness and discomfort in his left shoulder. Garcia had surgery to repair a torn labrum last May.

"His shoulder is just not feeling quite right," general manager John Mozeliak said. "We should have an answer of what the future looks like by Monday afternoon. He hasn't felt right the last 48 hours. No one thought it was that serious, but it's not improving. There's no reason to work through something if it might be something larger."

Mozeliak added, "It's better to get resolution."

Garcia likely won't be ready to open the season in the rotation even if nothing is found to be wrong. He and six other pitchers are competing for a starting rotation spot behind Adam Wainwright.

The 27-year-old has a 3.45 ERA in 551 innings pitched through five seasons. He's no stranger to injury, spending time on the 60-day disabled list three separate times.


DODGERS SIGN CUBAN SHORTSTOP


The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena to a $25 million, five-year contract Saturday.

"We think he adds to our major league club at some point this year," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said.

The Dodgers had been negotiating with Arruebarrena for several days. The 23-year-old infielder defected from Cuba last fall, establishing residency in Haiti. He has been working out in the Dominican Republic, according to the Colletti. Colletti said Arruebarrena still has to acquire a work visa.

"We'll get him as soon as we can get him here," Colletti said. "We need to see him on an everyday basis."

Arruebarrena was a teammate of Yasiel Puig's in the Cuban League from 2010-11. He is touted for his defense but Colletti said his offense still needs work. Still, Arruebarrena was starting shortstop for Cuba in the 2013 World Baseball Classic and batted .375 with four runs and two RBIs in six games.

Arruebarrena joins Puig and Alex Guererro as three Cubans signed by the Dodgers in the past two years. Los Angeles also drafted pitcher Onelki Garcia in 2012. He defected to the United States in 2010.

Contributors: Cassandra Negley, The Associated Press