ONEIL CRUZ NEWS

Clase sets club record for saves, Noel, Giménez hit consecutive HRs as Guardians top Pirates 10-8

Rookie Jhonkensy Noel hit a two-run homer and Andrés Giménez followed with a solo shot in the fifth inning, leading the Cleveland Guardians to a 10-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirate...

AUGUST 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates take on the Cubs after Cruz's 4-hit game

The Pittsburgh Pirates play the Chicago Cubs after Oneil Cruz's four-hit game on Tuesday

AUGUST 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cracks four hits in losing effort Cruz went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's 9-5 loss to the Cubs.

Impact The 25-year-old drew a start at designated hitter and collected his second four-hit performance of the season, with his first being a 5-for-5 effort on Aug. 2. Cruz has been red hot in August, hitting .383 (31-for-81) with a homer, a triple, eight doubles, 11 RBI and nine runs scored across 22 games. Overall, he is now slashing .271/.328/.473 with 18 homers and steals apiece in 488 plate appearances this season.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

'Just going to do my best': Cruz accepts CF move with optimism PITTSBURGH -- Oneil Cruz was the first player on the field at PNC Park before Tuesday’s matchup vs. the Cubs. It’s not uncommon for him to g...

AUGUST 27 • MLB.COM

Pirates' Cruz planning to reach out to Tatis as he makes his move from shortstop to center field

Oneil Cruz is planning to reach out to Fernando Tatis Jr. They have a lot to talk about

AUGUST 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oneil Cruz speaks for first time since having position switched from shortstop to center field As his teammates arrived at PNC Park Tuesday afternoon for their 6:40 p.m. contest against the Chicago Cubs, Oneil Cruz was already on the f...

AUGUST 27 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Cubs play the Pirates after Suzuki's 4-hit game

The Chicago Cubs take on the Pittsburgh Pirates after Seiya Suzuki had four hits on Monday in an 18-8 win over the Pirates

AUGUST 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Oneil Cruz to be center fielder moving forward PITTSBURGH -- Oneil Cruz was always considered to be a unicorn at shortstop because of his large frame. Now, that unicorn is moving off of t...

AUGUST 26 • MLB.COM

Pirates move 6-foot-7 error-prone shortstop Oneil Cruz to center field

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz is switching positions, moving from shortstop to center field

AUGUST 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates' Oneil Cruz moving to center field in what looks to be a long-term franchise decision Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz will play the remainder of the 2024 in center field, the team announced Monday afternoon. The news was announce...

AUGUST 26 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pirates Manager Announces Eye-Opening Position Change for Oneil Cruz An intriguing change for Oneil Cruz.

AUGUST 26 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Moving to center field Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced Monday that Cruz will be moved to center field, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact It sounds like the move will be permanent, with Shelton saying that Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be the everyday shortstop and Nick Gonzales will be the second baseman for the remainder of the season. Cruz played one inning in left field for the Pirates in 2022 and started nine games there at Triple-A Indianapolis in the same season. However, he has never seen any action in center field before, so the 25-year-old will be learning on the fly.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates begin 3-game series against the Cubs

The Pittsburgh Pirates start a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Monday

AUGUST 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds play in game 3 of series

The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds, leading the series 2-0

AUGUST 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Breaking down Elly De La Cruz vs. Oneil Cruz | 08/24/2024 The MLB Tonight crew discuss who will have the better career between Elly De La Cruz and Oneil Cruz by looking at some of their 2024 numbers

AUGUST 24 • MLB.COM

Showcases speed Cruz went 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base Tuesday against the Rangers.

Impact Cruz exited Friday's game after tweaking his ankle but has since started four consecutive games. He's also stolen a pair of bases in that span, suggesting that he is playing at or near full strength. Cruz has also hit well overall since the All-Star break, smacking four home runs while collecting 18 RBI, 15 runs scored and seven stolen bases while maintaining a .311 average.

AUGUST 21 • ROTOWIRE

'He's our shortstop': Ben Cherington discusses Oneil Cruz's position in the field There is no ignoring the dramatic highs and lows that come with having Oneil Cruz on one’s ballclub. At the plate, the numbers indicate that...

AUGUST 18 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Starting at DH Cruz (ankle) will serve as the designated hitter and bat second in Saturday's game against the Mariners.

Impact Cruz injured his left ankle while turning toward base in the seventh inning of Friday's game against Seattle. The injury won't keep him out of Saturday's contest, though he'll avoid fielding duties while Isiah Kiner-Falefa gets the start at shortstop.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners look to end skid in game against the Pirates

The Seattle Mariners aim to end their four-game losing streak with a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Exits with ankle injury Cruz was removed from Friday's game against the Mariners due to left ankle discomfort.

Impact Cruz made a big turn toward third base after lining a two-RBI double into center field during the seventh inning, and he pivoted awkwardly on his ankle while turning back to second. The Pirates' medical staff is still in the process of examining his ankle, and the 25-year-old's status for Saturday's game is uncertain.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, Oneil Cruz injured running the bases in 7th inning

Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen and shortstop Oneil Cruz were both injured running the bases and removed in the seventh inning Friday night against the Seattl...

AUGUST 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mariners aim to break 3-game losing streak, play the Pirates

The Seattle Mariners are looking to stop their three-game skid with a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates

AUGUST 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bowing out of lineup Wednesday Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Impact After making a return from an illness, Cruz had started in each of the Pirates' last six games, going 9-for-24 with three extra-base hits and a 3:6 BB:K. Though he looks to be fully healthy again, Cruz will join fellow left-handed hitters Rowdy Tellez and Ji Hwan Bae on the bench as the Padres send southpaw Martin Perez to the hill.

AUGUST 14 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates bring 5-game losing streak into matchup against the Dodgers

The Pittsburgh Pirates look to end their five-game slide with a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers

AUGUST 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Homers in three-hit game Cruz went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double and an additional RBI in Friday's 9-5 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact Cruz came up a triple shy of the cycle, logging his second three-hit game in a row since returning from an illness. The shortstop has gone 12-for-24 (.500) with three extra-base hits over six contests in August. Cruz is up to a .262/.315/.473 slash line with a career-high 18 homers, 59 RBI, 54 runs scored, 24 doubles and 11 stolen bases over 103 games this season.

AUGUST 10 • ROTOWIRE