Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has been sidelined since August 13 after being placed on the seven-day concussion injured list, following a collision on August 12 at American Family Field. The incident occurred in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers when Cruz dove for a ball hit by Joey Ortiz and collided face-first with teammate Jack Suwinski’s chest. Although Cruz initially stayed in the game, he was removed in the sixth inning for a pinch hitter and has not appeared in the Pirates’ last four games.
Signs of Recovery Noted Despite Ongoing Restrictions
During the Pirates’ recent series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Cruz began engaging in light physical activity such as plyometrics and batting cage swings, indicating gradual improvement. However, the Pirates’ general manager, Ben Cherington, emphasized that Cruz is still not ready to fully return to play as he has yet to pass the required concussion protocol tests managed by <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>Major League Baseball and the Players Association.
Speaking on 93.7 The Fan with Joe Block, Cherington said,
“Better every day. We’re seeing him show up ready to do more activities,”
but clarified,
“He’s not quite ready to go through the protocol testing that every player needs to go through to come off the concussion IL. He’s not quite ready for that, but he is making progress.”
Pirates Take a Cautious Approach to Head Injury Recovery
Cherington highlighted the need for patience and careful monitoring, particularly with concussion injuries that can vary widely in severity and response. He praised the flexibility of the new seven-day injured list for concussions compared to the usual ten-day minimum for position players, stating it allows teams to better manage minor cases without unnecessary downtime.
“Well the minimum placement is different, it’s a seven day, instead of in a position player’s case, a 10-day. It gives you some flexibility if it’s a really minor concussion to bring a player back sooner,”
Cherington said.
“I think what it also does, it really encourages everybody involved, not that maybe we shouldn’t need encouragement, but it encourages everybody involved, including the player, to use the IL, basically because, you’re only potentially missing seven days.”
He further explained the daily monitoring and gradual increase in activity for players recovering from concussions, stressing the importance of reporting symptoms accurately and progressing carefully through the recovery stages.
“Once the player is in the concussion protocol, you’re testing every day,” Cherington said. “We have a self-report mechanism that guys like Oneil are communicating with us when they wake up in the morning, kind of grading how they feel that day relative to yesterday. They’ll do that again when they get to the park, as the self-report slowly improves, we start to introduce activities, light activities, that increases more activity and it reaches a threshold when they’re starting to feel ready for baseball work is when we would start to think about, ‘Okay, we consider doing the test again on this day.”
“We’re in constant communication with the league about that because the league, the concussion IL appropriately has oversight over when a player would be taken off and ultimately activated. So that’s just all part of this process and every team goes through it and in Oneil’s case, he will not be out there active until we’re very confident he’s checked off every box as part of that process and the league has signed off.”
Injury History and Current Season Challenges for Cruz
This concussion represents the first time Cruz has been placed on the injured list during the 2024 season, as well as his first injury absence since a left ankle fracture on April 11, 2023, which ended his prior season early. While Cruz has experienced other injury setbacks this year, none have been as significant as this concussion.
Earlier in the season, Cruz left a game against the Minnesota Twins on July 12 after limping post-hit but returned quickly as a pinch hitter. In May, an unsuccessful steal attempt against the Atlanta Braves led to lower back discomfort, forcing him to miss four games before returning on May 16 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
On the offensive side, Cruz has had an uneven season, batting .207 with an on-base percentage of .304 and slugging .398. His stat line includes 81 hits in 392 at-bats, 17 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs (team-leading), 51 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases out of 38 attempts. However, he has also struck out 145 times while drawing 54 walks.
Pirates’ Outfield Depth Amid Cruz’s Absence
With Cruz sidelined, the Pirates rely on a diverse outfield roster featuring players like Alexander Canario, Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, Ronny Simon, Tommy Pham, and Jack Suwinski, alongside utility player Liover Peguero. This group has been tasked with filling the gap left by Cruz’s absence as the team continues its campaign.
Looking Ahead: Monitoring Progress and Return Timelines
The Pirates continue to prioritize Cruz’s health by working closely with MLB officials to ensure a safe and verified return to play. Testing protocols remain in place daily, with each step contingent upon Cruz’s self-reported symptoms and medical evaluations. The organization remains optimistic that his recovery timeline could be measured in days, depending on how he responds to treatment and protocol milestones.
Caution remains the guiding principle as the Pirates weigh the risks associated with concussion recovery, fully aware that premature returns could jeopardize Cruz’s long-term health and performance. Fans and teammates alike are awaiting the day when Cruz can resume contributing to the field safely and effectively.