Oneil Cruz, a promising young shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has suffered a devastating injury. On April 16th, Cruz was diagnosed with a broken ankle that will keep him out of action for at least four months.
The 20-year-old Dominican Republic native was signed by the Pirates in 2015 and quickly rose through the ranks of the organization’s minor league system. He made his major league debut in 2019 and was expected to be a key part of the Pirates’ lineup this season.
The injury occurred during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 15th. Cruz was running out a ground ball to first base when he stepped awkwardly and felt a sharp pain in his ankle. He was immediately taken out of the game and sent for an MRI, which revealed the fracture.
The injury is a major setback for Cruz, who was off to a strong start this season. In 11 games, he was batting .250 with two home runs and four RBIs. He had also shown flashes of defensive brilliance, making several highlight-reel plays in the field.
The Pirates have yet to announce how they plan to replace Cruz in the lineup. It’s likely that utility infielder Erik Gonzalez will get the majority of the playing time at shortstop in Cruz’s absence.
Cruz’s injury is a tough blow for the Pirates, who were hoping he could be a cornerstone of their team for years to come. It’s unclear how long it will take him to recover from the injury, but he is expected to miss at least four months of action. The Pirates will have to find a way to stay competitive without him in the lineup.
