Cruz Back for Playoff Race
Pirates Activate Star Oneil Cruz From Injured List, Bolstering Wild-Card Push
Key Points
Cruz has shown strong progress against left-handed pitching this season, hitting .312/.361/.507 with four homers in 83 plate appearances against southpaws, a notable improvement from last year’s results.
Ramírez has been a dominant bullpen piece for the Pirates, posting a 2.67 ERA this season and delivering 79 strikeouts in 67.1 innings, including a recent 0.28 ERA over his last 22 appearances with 40 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings.
Barco was optioned to Indianapolis to clear roster space for Ramírez, after allowing three runs in three innings in his most recent outing; he has a 7.64 ERA across seven Pirates appearances this season.
Ronny Simon, who was optioned to Triple-A to make room on the roster, has appeared in nine games for the Pirates this season and hit .290 with a .656 OPS.
Cruz’s rehab path included five total rehab games split between Indianapolis and Altoona, during which he went 3-for-22 before being activated.
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated center fielder Oneil Cruz from the 60-day injured list on August 17, ending a more than two-month absence caused by left-hand fractures. Cruz had not played since June 10, but his return gives Pittsburgh a major offensive boost heading into a critical stretch of the season, according to Yahoo Sports.
Cruz was not in the starting lineup for the Pirates' series opener against the Detroit Tigers, Mahoning Matters reported. General manager Ben Cherington cautioned that the hand injury could still limit him early. But the Pirates, sitting 6.5 games back in the wild-card race, badly need his bat.
Cruz Returns With Big Numbers and Stolen-Base Threat
Before the injury, Cruz was one of Pittsburgh's most productive players. He posted a .264/.350/.472 line with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases across just 64 games. He had led the league in stolen bases before going down, per Head Topics.
Cruz has also been better against left-handed pitching this year. He hit .312/.361/.507 with four home runs in 83 plate appearances against southpaws — a clear improvement from last season. That growth makes him a threat from both sides of a lineup card.
Rehab Stint Was Rough, But Pirates Moved Quickly
Cruz went 3-for-22 across five rehab games split between Triple-A Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona. Those numbers were not pretty. But the Pirates activated him anyway, ahead of the Detroit series, according to Lancaster Online.
Cherington acknowledged the hand could be a factor early. Still, the team decided Cruz's presence on the roster mattered more than a few more rehab at-bats. Injuries to Konnor Griffin and Ryan O'Hearn have thinned the lineup, making Cruz's return even more urgent.
Roster Moves Clear Space for Cruz and Ramírez
To make room for Cruz, the Pirates optioned infielder Ronny Simon to Triple-A Indianapolis. Simon appeared in nine games this season and hit .290 with a .656 OPS. The Pirates also reinstated reliever Yohan Ramírez from the paternity list, per Yahoo Sports.
To fit Ramírez back on the roster, Pittsburgh sent pitcher Hunter Barco to the minors. Barco had struggled badly, posting a 7.64 ERA across seven appearances and allowing three runs in three innings in his last outing. Ramírez, by contrast, has been one of Pittsburgh's best relievers.
Ramírez Dominant in Bullpen as Pirates Eye Wild Card
Ramírez has posted a 2.67 ERA this season with 79 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. Over his last 22 appearances, he has been even sharper — a 0.28 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 32 and two-thirds innings. He gives Pittsburgh a reliable late-inning weapon as the team fights to stay alive.
The Pirates trail the Phillies and Padres by 6.5 games for a wild-card spot entering August 17. With Cruz back and Ramírez healthy, Pittsburgh now has more options, including possible DH time for Bryan Reynolds and Esmery Valdez depending on how the lineup shapes up, according to Lancaster Online.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativePublishers
13
Articles
45
Reach
58
