Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly made it clear on Tuesday that effort is mandatory for the team by benching center fielder Oneil Cruz during their 9-3 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers. Cruz was removed from the game after failing to run hard on a crucial double-play ground ball in the seventh inning, signaling a strong message about accountability.
During the seventh inning, with the Pirates trailing 7-3 and a runner on first base, Cruz hit a ground ball to Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz. Ortiz quickly flipped the ball to second base to secure the first out. Instead of running full speed towards first base, Cruz noticeably slowed down, allowing the Brewers to complete a double play. This lapse in effort ended the inning and frustrated the Pirates’ chances of mounting a comeback.
Details of the Bench Decision and Prior Issues
Although Cruz remained on defense during the bottom of the seventh, he was replaced in center field by Alexander Canario before the eighth inning began. Speculation arose that an injury might have caused Cruz to slow down and eventually leave the game, but Kelly confirmed that the move was deliberate due to Cruz’s insufficient intensity.
This was not the first case of Cruz showing questionable effort recently. Less than a week earlier, on Friday, he committed an error by failing to chase a ball after a line drive bounced past his glove up the middle. Kelly discussed the matter with Cruz at that time but allowed him to remain in the lineup. On Tuesday, however, Cruz’s lack of hustle resulted in a swift benching.
“I think we were pretty clear the other day, and he knows the expectation going forward,”
Kelly said after the game (via Ryan Herrera of MLB.com).
“We talked, but he knows the expectation, and right there, I think we fell a little short.”
Enforcing Team Expectations and Player Response
Kelly’s decision to bench Cruz served as a firm reminder of the standards expected within the Pirates clubhouse. Cruz accepted the punishment without complaint. Through assistant coach and Major League interpreter Stephen Morales, Cruz acknowledged,
“DK had all the rights to do what he did, and I’ll back him up on that.”
Cruz’s failure to run hard was especially notable considering his stature—standing 6-foot-7—and his speed, as he ranks second in MLB this year with 26 stolen bases. Regardless of whether Cruz realized it was only the second out of the inning, slowing down on the basepaths was considered unacceptable by Kelly and the team’s management.
Implications for Cruz’s Playing Time and Team Culture
When asked if Cruz would return to the lineup for Wednesday’s game, Kelly declined to commit, suggesting the possibility of an extended benching. By withholding Cruz from playing time, Kelly aims to reinforce a culture where effort and accountability are non-negotiable traits for every player on the roster.
This incident emphasizes the Pirates’ commitment to discipline as they navigate the challenging Major League Baseball season. How Cruz responds to this message may influence his role on the team moving forward, while the rest of the Pirates’ roster is reminded that lapses in effort will not be tolerated.