pittsburgh pirates Shortstop Oneil Cruz underwent surgery to repair a broken ankle he sustained in a collision at home plate, sparking a bench-clearing brawl with the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
However, Cruz’s season will not end as he is expected to return to the Pirates after four months of recovery, the team announced. That would put him back sometime in August.
To take his spot on the roster, Cruz was placed on the 10-day disabled list, Mark Mathias has been recalled from Triple-A.
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Pittsburgh Pirates center Oneil Cruz is tended to by team coaches after colliding with Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala trying to score during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Sunday April 9, 2023. result of the play. The Pirates won 1-0. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A slow grounder off Ke’Bryan Hayes’s bat bounced off the third base line, and Cruz decided to run home to add a run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
But White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada was quick after the ball found his glove, transferred it to his right hand, and fired it to Zavala, who was ready to take out Cruz.
BENCHES CLEARED AT WHITE SOX-PIRATES GAME AFTER ESCALATION OF FEAR LEAVES ONEIL CRUZ WITH BROKEN ANKLE
Cruz tried to slide, but seemed to get caught in the dirt, leading him to collide with Zavala, who got to his feet and appeared to have a few words for Cruz as the Pirates shortstop writhed in pain.
The Pirates’ Carlos Santana had a few words with Zavala, and then the rest of the Pirates’ bench began to come off the bench, followed by the White Sox.
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz (15) is injured when Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala tags him out trying to score during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 9, 2023. result of the play. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Chicago’s Tim Anderson and Michael Kopech were among those who got involved in the scrum that even saw the bullpens empty, with pitchers running from the outfield to join the fray.
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Thankfully, nothing got more physical than some shoving, shoving, and surely some explicit language. But the loss of Cruz certainly hurts the Pirates in the long run.
Cruz is one of the most promising prospects in MLB, showing true five-tool skills in the 87 games he played with Pittsburgh last season. He has displayed his shortened rocket arm and has thrown baseballs into the Allegheny River at muzzle velocities of over 115 mph.
Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates reacts as he returns to the dugout after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the ninth inning at Oracle Park on August 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
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Cruz was 8-for-32 with a home run, a double and four RBIs in nine games this season. He hit .233/.294/.450 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs and 45 runs scored in his time with the Pirates last season.