ONEIL CRUZ NEWS

LEADING OFF: Padres optimistic Machado won't need IL stint

Manny Machado was out of the lineup a day after spraining his left ankle, but Padres acting manager Ryan Flaherty is optimistic the All-Star third baseman won’t need to go on the i...

JUNE 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On heels of Oneil Cruz promotion, Ben Cherington outlines Pirates' considerations for prospect call-ups Oneil Cruz is a Pirate now, called up for his reintroduction to Major League Baseball on Monday against the Chicago Cubs. It’s possible to v...

JUNE 20, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Call-up official The Pirates recalled Cruz from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. He'll start at shortstop and bat sixth in the Pirates' series opener against the Cubs.

Impact Infielder Liover Peguero was sent to Double-A Altoona to clear room on the 26-man active roster for Cruz, who is with the big club for the first time in 2022 after getting the chance to make his MLB debut last September. The Pirates delayed calling up Cruz more than two months into the season for dubious reasons, but he'll likely be immediately installed as the team's everyday shortstop. Over his 55 games with Indianapolis this season, Cruz slashed .232/.336/.422 with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases across 247 plate appearances.

JUNE 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

LEADING OFF: Padres check star 3B Machado's sprained ankle

The San Diego Padres will see how star third baseman Manny Machado is feeling, a day after he sprained his left ankle while taking a tumble running out a grounder

JUNE 20, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates call up No. 3 prospect Oneil Cruz At Triple-A Indianapolis, Cruz batted .233/337/.424 with 35 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

JUNE 19, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Pirates calling up No. 3 prospect Cruz (report) The Pirates are calling up No. 3 prospect Oneil Cruz, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The club has not confirmed...

JUNE 19, 2022 • MLB.COM

En route to big leagues The Pirates plan to call up Cruz from Triple-A Indianapolis in advance of Monday's game against the Cubs, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Cruz's impending promotion comes after he was withheld from the Indianapolis lineup Sunday, with the 23-year-old concluding his time at Triple-A with a .233/.337/.424 slash line to go with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases across 246 plate appearances. According to Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington reiterated in an interview earlier Sunday that the organization views Cruz as a shortstop, so he's expected to fill an everyday role at that position even though he's also received some exposure in left field at Triple-A this season. With Cruz in line to take over as Pittsburgh's primary shortstop, Diego Castillo is expected to transition into more of a utility role.

JUNE 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates GM Ben Cherington teases Oneil Cruz's imminent arrival Speaking on his weekly radio show, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington seemed to hint at the arrival of Oneil Cruz this week.

JUNE 19, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Where's Oneil Cruz? Pirates call up a shortstop, but not the one we all expected Cruz, the club’s No. 3 prospect, has been inching closer to a promotion. He, and Pirates fans, will have to wait at least a little more.

JUNE 18, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Pirates Pipeline: Cody Bolton relishing successful return season as MLB call-up creeps into view It’s understandable that Cody Bolton fell off a few radars in the past couple of years. The 23-year-old right-hander, like every other minor...

JUNE 17, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Jason Mackey: Why the Pirates shouldn't wait a minute longer to promote prospect Oneil Cruz Oneil Cruz has been playing well. Pirates shortstops have not. With the Super-2 deadline passed, it’s time for Oneil Cruz to return.

JUNE 16, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Oneil Cruz maintaining grit, joy playing in Indianapolis: 'He wants to get better every day' The lanky shortstop has recently found his swing after a slow start.

JUNE 14, 2022 • INDYSTAR.COM

Mailbag: Could the Pirates upgrade at catcher? Will Oneil Cruz arrive this week? In this month's Pirates mailbag, we examine one of the club's glaring weaknesses and mull what roster changes might be coming soon.

JUNE 13, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Back in action Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Impact Cruz returned to the lineup after suffering a minor ankle injury Sunday. He was seemingly at full strength as he also handled his normal defensive duties at shortstop. Cruz has showcased his significant power potential of late by slugging .500 across 90 at-bats in May, though his timeline to return to Pittsburgh remains unclear.

JUNE 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers minor ankle injury Cruz sustained a minor ankle injury at Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Cruz tweaked his ankle while sliding into second base during Sunday's minor-league matchup, and he left the game early. Although the 23-year-old's injury is classified as minor, it's not clear whether he'll be forced to miss additional time. Cruz is slashing .220/.330/.402 with seven homers, 30 runs, 27 RBI and 10 stolen bases over 41 games with Indianapolis in 2022.

MAY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jason Mackey: Pirates must figure out how to solve Oneil Cruz equation INDIANAPOLIS — There's no more exciting prospect in the Pirates' farm system than 6-foot-7 shortstop Oneil Cruz. There's also no equation mo...

MAY 6, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Analysis: Pirates must figure out how to solve Oneil Cruz equation Oneil Cruz hasn’t gotten off to a great start. What’s happening and how can the Pirates work to fix this?

MAY 5, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Hayes rallies Pirates to 7-6 win over Padres in 10 innings

Ke’Bryan Hayes singled in the tying run and scored the winning run on an error as the Pittsburgh Pirates scored twice in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat the San Diego Padres...

MAY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cherington hears the Cruz chatter: 'There's important work he's doing in Indy' PITTSBURGH -- As the calendar turns to May, Oneil Cruz is not in the big leagues. Cruz, the Pirates’ walking highlight of a prospect, has ye...

MAY 1, 2022 • MLB.COM

Ben Cherington explains why Oneil Cruz remains in the minor leagues The Pirates have an injury at shortstop, but Oneil Cruz remains in the minor leagues. Ben Cherington explained the organization’s thinking.

APRIL 30, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Ashby takes no-hitter into 6th, Brewers beat Pirates 3-1

Aaron Ashby combined with four relievers on a one-hitter, Tyrone Taylor singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3...

APRIL 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Primarily playing shorstop Cruz has started 10 games at shortstop as opposed to only one in left field with Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season.

Impact When the Pirates optioned Cruz to the minors to start the season, part of the stated reason was to get him reps in the outfield. While he did start one of his first five games in left field, Cruz has played exclusively at shortstop since. It's unclear what that may mean for his defensive home in the long term, but it suggests that he will play in the infield upon his promotion to the majors this season. It's also uncertain when Cruz may return to Pittsburgh, as he has hit only .175/.283/.275 across 46 plate appearances with Indianapolis.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Starkey's mailbag: When will the Pirates promote Oneil Cruz? Welcome to Joe Starkey’s mailbag, where the Post-Gazette columnist and 93.7 The Fan radio host answers your questions about sports, life, Le...

APRIL 19, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

MLB odds: Seiya Suzuki, Oneil Cruz and Bobby Witt Jr. lead ROY futures

MLB is back! With the first week of the season in the books, let's take a look at the ROY futures for both the NL and AL.

APRIL 14, 2022

Getting work in outfield Cruz started in left field for Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact As part of their decision to send Cruz to Triple-A to begin the season, Pirates management stated that they wanted the prospect to get experience in the outfield. However, through five games with Indianapolis, Cruz has appeared at shortstop four times as opposed to the outfield only once. However, he looked quite accustomed to left field when he made a sliding catch in the top of the seventh inning to save a likely extra-base hit while fieldng the position Sunday. It's not clear when Cruz may get the call to Pittsburgh, though he's maintained a .381 on-base percentage with one extra-base hit across 21 plate appearances in Indianapolis.

APRIL 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE