Oneil Cruz Injured
Pittsburgh Pirates Place Star Oneil Cruz on Injured List After Breaking Left Hand
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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz is heading to the injured list with a broken left hand, the team officially announced Wednesday AP News. Medical staff confirmed non-displaced fractures in the fourth and fifth metacarpals of his left hand — injuries sustained when Cruz slid headfirst into home plate during a game against the Atlanta Braves on June 6.
The IL stint is retroactive to June 8, meaning Cruz can return as early as late June — though AP News reports the realistic recovery window is four to six weeks, pushing his likely return to mid-to-late July. The Pirates have recalled utility player Billy Cooke from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his roster spot.
How a Home-Plate Slide Ended Cruz's June
Cruz was tagged out by Braves catcher Austin Wynns during the fourth inning on June 6 Daily Item. He showed discomfort right away but stayed in the game. The next day, Sunday, he entered only as a pinch-runner. The Pirates held out hope the injury was minor.
That hope faded fast. On Tuesday, June 9, Cruz was listed in the starting lineup against the Dodgers but pulled an hour before first pitch due to "recurrent discomfort." More imaging was ordered. By Wednesday morning, the fractures were confirmed and the IL move was made official AP News.
Cruz's 2026 Stats Show Just How Big This Loss Is
Before the injury, Cruz was slashing .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases across 64 games. He ranked in the 100th percentile for hard-hit rate and max exit velocity, making him one of the most dangerous hitters in the NL AP News.
The Pirates (34-33) now sit third in the NL Central. Without Cruz's power-speed combination, their offense — which has ranked near the bottom of the NL for years — faces a tough stretch against the Dodgers and Reds. Rookie Konnor Griffin is also on the IL with an elbow strain, leaving the lineup thin.
Billy Cooke Steps In — But Can't Replace Cruz's Power
The Pirates chose to recall Cooke, a 30-year-old defensive specialist, over a more offense-minded minor league option. That choice tells you something: manager Derek Shelton is leaning on pitching and defense to stay competitive, not trying to replace Cruz's bat Erie News Now.
The numbers are not encouraging. Cooke hit just .190 in 32 major league games in 2026 and carries a career minor league average near .199. He offers solid glove work in the outfield but brings almost no power threat. That is a steep drop-off from a player hitting 14 home runs before June AP News.
Cruz's Injury History Makes This Moment Feel Familiar
This is not the first time a home-plate slide has cost Cruz a chunk of a season. In 2023, he missed nearly the entire year with a fractured left ankle — also from a slide at the plate. The 27-year-old's all-out style of play has repeatedly led to serious injuries Erie News Now.
The Pirates moved Cruz from shortstop to center field in 2025 to reduce wear on his body. It seemed to be working — his defensive metrics improved in 2026, and the team was above .500 in June for the first time in nearly a decade Winnipeg Free Press. Now they must wait again and hope the fractures heal on the early end of that four-to-six-week window.
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