The Pirates are starting to give their fans some hope with a 6-3 start through the first week-plus of the season. Unfortunately, they just lost one of the key pieces of their present and future.
Shortstop Oneil Cruz exited Sunday's game after a home-plate collision that triggered a benches-clearing incident after Bucs first baseman Carlos Santana confronted White Sox catcher Seby Zavala.
A look at the play:
Benches cleared in Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/CBiJzLciX6
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) April 9, 2023
The scrum didn't turn violent, but concern surrounds the status of Cruz early in what is supposed to be a breakout season for the former top prospect.
Cruz hit .233 with 17 home runs and a .744 OPS over 87 games in 2022. He entered Sunday with a .267 average and one home run. Though still early, Cruz's strikeout rate was down considerably from his rookie season.
MORE: Oneil Cruz injury leads to Pirates-White Sox bench-clearing scuffle
Here's what you need to know about Cruz's injury status.
Oneil Cruz injury update
Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced after Sunday's game that Cruz suffered a fractured ankle but did not offer a timeline on his potential return.
The team announced Monday afternoon that Cruz underwent surgery Sunday night to stabilize a broken fibula and address an injury to the syndesmosis — ligaments above the ankle. He is expected to miss four months, putting his potential return in mid-August.
Oneil Cruz had surgery last evening at Allegheny General Hospital by Dr. Greg Altman and Dr. Darren Frank. The surgery stabilized the fractured fibula and addressed the injury to the syndesmosis.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 10, 2023
We anticipate a return to action in 4 months.
Cleveland's Josh Naylor incurred a similar injury in late June 2021 and missed the rest of the season, a similar timeline. Cruz at least has a window to return in 2023, but the Pirates will have to find a way to make up for one of their critical power sources.
Rodolfo Castro moved over to shortstop after Cruz exited Sunday, with Ji Hwan Bae taking over for Castro at second base.
