Pittsburgh Pirates' Young Star Finally Over Injury That Cost Him Nearly All of 2023 Season

After breaking his leg in early April of 2023 and missing the rest of the season, Pittsburgh Pirates' shortstop Oneil Cruz is pain-free and ready to go in 2024.

Per Alex Stumf of MLB.com:

Cruz says he’s 100% now. He’s been practicing at Pirate City without restriction. While drills are hardly at full speed, he’s moving at shortstop cleanly. He is full-go.

Unlike a year ago, though, he just has one goal.

“After the surgery and stuff like that, my main goal is to stay healthy through the whole year,” Cruz said. “I know the other stuff will come.”

Cruz broke the leg sliding into home plate against the Chicago White Sox and then wasn't able to get back to action for the rest of the year, despite some initial optimism that he could. He watched as the Pirates finished fourth in the National League Central.

Cruz is a huge part of what the Pirates do and a major centerpiece of their organizational rebuild. He hit .250 for the 2023 season in that limited action with a homer, four RBI and three stolen bases through just 32 at-bats.

He made his major league debut in 2021 but really burst out in 2022, clocking 19 home runs and bringing in 61 in just 87 games.

The Pirates are anticipating a much better season in 2024. In addition to Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes hopefully all being healthy, they have also added Marco Gonzales, Martin Perez, Aroldis Chapman and Yasmani Grandal in an effort to compete.