Pittsburgh Pirates' Oneil Cruz Out Until August After Ankle Surgery

After sustaining a left ankle injury in Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is expected to miss the next four months, at least. Cruz collided with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala on a bang-bang play at home plate in Sunday's game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz will likely not play again until August, the club announced via Twitter Monday afternoon.

Cruz sustained a fractured fibula in his left leg in Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox, when he collided with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala on a bang-bang play at home plate.

Cruz underwent a successful ankle surgery Sunday evening at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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.

We anticipate a return to action in 4 months.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 10, 2023

Through nine games, Cruz is batting .250 with a .375 On Base Percentage, .750 OPS, 104 OPS+, one home run, four RBI and three stolen bases.

The Pirates are off an impressive 6-3 start to open the season, winning five of their last six games, while playing the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

The Pirates are currently in second place in the National League Central. The club has not made the playoffs since 2015, when the Buccos, managed by Clint Hurdle, won 98 games but lost to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card game. The Pirates have not posted a winning season since 2018, and have been in rebuild mode since.

With a roster full of promising, young players, could this season be different? The club suffered a significant blow with the loss of Cruz and will need to find a way to replicate and replace his production and the offensive spark he provides to his team.

The Milwaukee Brewers currently lead the National League Central with a 7-2 record entering play Monday. The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are tied for third at 4-4, with the St. Louis Cardinals surprisingly in last place at 3-6. The Cardinals were heavy favorites to repeat as division champions entering the season.

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