MLB Player News

Double-A Richmond placed Luciano (back) on its 7-day injured list Thursday.

He suffered a stress fracture in his lower back playing in the Dominican Winter League, and while he was able to field grounders and take batting practice this spring, Luciano isn't ready for game action. According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Luciano is being held back in extended spring training while he finishes his recovery.

Cruz underwent surgery Sunday after suffering a fractured left ankle in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the White Sox and is expected to be sidelined for 10-to-12 weeks, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The Pirates haven't confirmed the timeline provided by Gorman, but the fact that Cruz required surgery to address the injury rather than going the rest-and-rehab route for treatment suggests he won't be on track to meet the short end of a timetable to return from a fractured ankle, which can be as few as six weeks. Expect Pittsburgh to place Cruz on the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener versus the Astros, though he may not go on the 60-day IL until the Pirates need to open up another spot on the 40-man roster. Rodolfo Castro and Ji Hwan Bae are likely to get the first chance to serve as the Pirates' everyday middle infielders while Cruz is on the shelf, though Tucupita Marcano and/or Chris Owings could be called up from Triple-A Indianapolis and potentially make a push for playing time.

Perdomo started at second base and went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 11-6 win over the Dodgers.

Perdomo made his first start at second base, giving Ketel Marte his first day off while slotting in at second in the order, the highest the former has hit this season. This was Perdomo's third multi-hit game in six starts. The second-year shortstop is 7-for-16 (.438) with four extra-base hits, eight RBI and four walks through seven overall appearances.

Ahmed went 2-for-5 with two RBI, a run and two stolen bases during Sunday's 11-6 win against the Dodgers.

Ahmed has never posted more than eight steals in any season during his big-league career, but he's already up to three thefts in just six games this year. The 33-year-old is splitting time at shortstop with Geraldo Perdomo, who is off to a hot start in 2023 with a 1.384 OPS.

Adames went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a two-run double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-1 victory over St. Louis.

Adames was responsible for the Brewers' first three runs, hitting a two-run double in the third and a solo blast in the fifth. After getting five hits through his first six contests, the shortstop ends the three-game series against the Cardinals with six hits, two homers and four RBI.

DeJong (back) is expected to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Memphis beginning Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

DeJong has gone 1-for-9 with two RBI, a run scored and three strikeouts over three games with Single-A Palm Beach. While the results aren't there, the rehab is more about getting the shortstop reps in the field and at the plate after injuries disrupted his participation in spring training. With Brendan Donovan and Tommy Edman hitting fairly well already, it's tough to project what kind of role DeJong might fill once he's ready to rejoin the major-league roster.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced after Sunday's victory over the White Sox that Cruz has a fractured left ankle, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

The injury occurred on a collision at home plate with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala. The star shortstop couldn't put much weight on his leg and required assistance to leave the field. The fracture will certainly result in Cruz being placed on the injured list and could cost the 24-year-old a significant portion of the 2023 season. While Cruz is out, it's like Rodolfo Castro will play shortstop, although the Pirates could turn to a prospect like Liover Peguero at some point. It's a devastating loss for the Pirates, fantasy players and fans of exciting young players.

Reds vice president of player development Shawn Pender announced Sunday that De La Cruz (hamstring) has resumed baseball activities, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

De La Cruz sustained a left hamstring strain late in spring training and has yet to make his debut for Triple-A Louisville. The 21-year-old is ranked as one of the top hitting prospects in baseball, and assuming good health, he could be a factor for the Reds before the end of the 2023 campaign.

Cruz was removed in the bottom of the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the White Sox after suffering an apparent left leg injury following a collision at home plate with Chicago catcher Seby Zavala, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and stolen base prior to departing the game.

Cruz sustained the injury on a hard slide into home plate and was called out after being tagged by Zavala. The star shortstop didn't appear to be putting much weight on his leg and required assistance while limping off the field. The Pirates will likely provide an update on Cruz's condition later Sunday or shortly after the game, but the 24-year-old looks like a good bet to miss time, even if his injury isn't significant enough to require a trip to the injured list.

Rojas (groin) is hitting eighth and playing shortstop against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Rojas returns to the lineup after missing close to a week while dealing with a left groin injury. The 34-year-old infielder will handle shortstop duties, and Chris Taylor will begin Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks on the bench.