Pirates Give Optimistic Rehab Date for Oneil Cruz

CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Pirates have missed center fielder Oneil Cruz with his injury, but he is getting close to his return to the team.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that Cruz will start a rehab assignment soon, potentially as early as this week.

Cherington also said that Cruz is doing all baseball activities and that the bones in his fractured left hand have healed, but that they will wait until Cruz says he's ready to go before he begins that rehab assignment.

“Yeah we believe we will," Cherington said. "Don’t know exactly yet what day that’s going to be, but still believe that could be as early as this coming week.

"The bones are healed, he’s doing all baseball activities. It’s really just a matter of now, the bones are healed, but as you know, swinging the bat puts a lot of pressure on the hand and he’s sort of re-aclimmating to swinging the bat at full force now that his bones are healed.

“We want to make sure he’s telling us and he’s clear and confident on exactly when he’s ready. I  think we’re getting really close. Don’t know the exact day, but we think it’s soon.”

Oneil Cruz Making Way Back From Injury

Cruz hasn't played for the Pirates since June 7, but injured himself when he slid headfirst at home plate and Austin Wynns tagged him on the left hand, which resulted in the fracture.

The injury is officially listed as left hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures, which makes it hard to grip and move the hand in the necessary ways needed for a hitter.