ONEIL CRUZ NEWS

Verdugo hits go-ahead single as Yankees end regular season with 6-4 win over Pirates

Alex Verdugo hit a go-ahead, two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning and the New York Yankees ended the regular season with a 6-4 victory over the Pi...

SEPTEMBER 30 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates try to extend road win streak in matchup with the Yankees

The Pittsburgh Pirates hit the road against the New York Yankees trying to continue a three-game road winning streak

SEPTEMBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting versus southpaw Cruz is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees.

Impact The left-handed-hitting Cruz will be given a day off as the Yankees send southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Billy Cook is in center field and batting ninth for the Pirates in the series opener.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates visit the Yankees to start 3-game series

The New York Yankees open a three-game series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday

SEPTEMBER 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates release veterans Rowdy Tellez and Michael A. Taylor to make way for prospects

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released first baseman Rowdy Tellez and outfielder Michael A

SEPTEMBER 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paul Skenes strikes out 9 and pitches 2-hit ball through 5 innings as Pirates stop Reds 2-0

Paul Skenes struck out nine and pitched two-hit ball through five innings, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 2-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday

SEPTEMBER 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How the Pirates reversed Cruz's luck against lefties This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regula...

SEPTEMBER 21 • MLB.COM

Tallies 20th homer Cruz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Friday against the Reds.

Impact Cruz hasn't hit for much power across the last six weeks, as Friday's shot was only his second homer in his last 35 games. Nevertheless, it was his 20th of the season -- his first time hitting that threshold -- and he has still put together an encouraging second half. Since the All-Star break, he's hit .302 with a .368 on-base percentage to go along with 15 stolen bases.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Back in Pittsburgh lineup Cruz (ankle) will start in center field and bat third in Thursday's game versus the Cardinals.

Impact Cruz made one pinch-hitting appearance Tuesday, but this will be his first start since he departed Sunday's game against the Royals with left ankle discomfort. The 25-year-old is one home run shy of a 20-20 campaign.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Wednesday Cruz (ankle) isn't in Pittsburgh's lineup Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Impact Cruz entered as a pinch hitter during Tuesday's loss to the Cards, but he'll remain absent from the starting nine Wednesday as he continues to battle left ankle soreness. Billy Cook start in center field instead and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Paul Zeise: Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz give Pirates two legitimate stars and some optimism for 2025 Paul Skenes was brilliant again Monday night in St. Louis, as he went six innings, gave up four hits, one run and struck out seven. It is th...

SEPTEMBER 18 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Remains out of Pittsburgh lineup Cruz (ankle) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's contest in St. Louis.

Impact It's the second straight start Cruz has missed after he had to leave Sunday's tilt against the Royals with left ankle soreness. He is considered day-to-day. Michael Taylor will occupy center field as the Pirates try to even the series.

SEPTEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out with ankle injury Cruz (ankle) is not in the lineup for Monday's contest in St. Louis, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Cruz had to depart Sunday's game against the Royals due to left ankle discomfort. It's the same ankle he fractured in April of 2023 and he has had to miss a handful of games this season due to soreness in the ankle. The Pirates are viewing Cruz as day-to-day. Billy Cook is in center field and will bat ninth in Monday's series opener.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with ankle injury Cruz exited Sunday's 4-3 win over the Royals in the seventh inning due to a left ankle injury, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Cruz is dealing with left ankle discomfort after slipping in the outfield according to manager Derek Shelton. Shelton said that the 26-year-old "was able to run" and that it later "stiffened up." Cruz finished his day 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored against Kansas City. The Pirates will start a four-game series in St. Louis on Monday and it's unclear if Cruz will be ready to go for the opener.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Cruz working through 'bumps in the road' defensively after transition to CF PITTSBURGH -- The early returns for Oneil Cruz's move to center field have generally been positive, seeing him learn to take advantage of hi...

SEPTEMBER 14 • MLB.COM

Oneil Cruz's defensive struggles in center field pave way for Pirates loss to Royals For as smooth a transition as it’s mostly been for Oneil Cruz in moving to center field, Saturday was quite the opposite. The former shortst...

SEPTEMBER 14 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Smacks 444-foot homer Cruz went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 3-2 win over the Marlins.

Impact Cruz took Valente Bellozo deep to center in the first inning, his 19th blast of the season that came off his bat at 113.7 MPH. It was Cruz' first homer since August ninth, ending a career-long streak of 26 games without a home run. Cruz hit his 6th home run of 440 feet or more this season, which is tied for the third most in MLB. The 25-year-old has an average home run distance of 421.3 feet this season, trailing only Jorge Soler among players with 10 or more homers. 

SEPTEMBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates rookie Paul Skenes strikes out 9 as Pirates edge Marlins 3-2

Paul Skenes struck out nine over six solid innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the Miami Marlins 3-1

SEPTEMBER 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Out of Sunday's lineup Cruz is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Cruz will head to the bench after a run of 22 straight starts, during which he batted .313 with nine extra-base hits, nine steals, 10 RBI and nine runs. Michael Taylor is receiving a look in center field for the series finale versus Washington.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Gonzales drives in 3 runs as the Pirates beat the Nationals 9-4, a night after being no-hit

Nick Gonzales highlighted a five-run second inning with a two-run single and finished with three RBIs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 9-4, one night after b...

SEPTEMBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates look to sweep 3-game series over the Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago Cubs play in the last game of a three-game series

SEPTEMBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs meet in game 2 of series

The Pittsburgh Pirates meet the Chicago Cubs with a 1-0 series lead

SEPTEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reynolds and McCutchen homer as the Pirates rally past the Cubs 5-3

Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen homered during Pittsburgh’s four-run eighth inning, and the Pirates cooled off the Chicago Cubs with a 5-3 victory

SEPTEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swipes 20th bag Cruz went 0-for-4 with a stolen base Sunday against the Guardians.

Impact Cruz reached base on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning and took advantage by swiping his 20th base of the season. He's gotten particularly aggressive on the basepaths in the last three weeks, as eight of his stolen bases have come in his last 17 games. Cruz needs two long balls to reach a 20-20 season in his first full slate of games in the majors.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Guardians and Pirates square off in series rubber match

Both the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday

SEPTEMBER 1 • ASSOCIATED PRESS