Cruz (concussion) is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Saturday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Cruz suffered a concussion in a collision with teammate Jack Suwinski on Aug. 12 versus Milwaukee. Cruz was subsequently placed on the 7-day concussion IL, where he's remained since. It's not clear how long Cruz will be on his rehab assignment, but enough time has passed that he's eligible to be activated and return to the big club at any point.
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Improving in concussion recovery
Rotowire
Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz (concussion) has ramped up his activity over the last 24-to-48 hours but isn't yet ready to return from the 7-day injured list, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. "He's making progress and he's improving and he's feeling a lot better," Tomczyk said.
After landing on the IL last Wednesday, Cruz is now eligible to return at any point, but the 26-year-old looks like he'll still need a little more time to clear the concussion protocol. Jack Suwinski has received most of the starts in center field while Cruz has been on the shelf.
The Pirates placed Cruz (concussion) on the 7-day injured list Wednesday.
Cruz collided with teammate Jack Suwinski in the outfield Tuesday against the Brewers and was removed from the game in the sixth inning. He'll spend the next week trying to clear concussion protocol. In a corresponding move, the Pirates recalled Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis. Over the last 30 days, Cruz has slashed just .188/.245/.341 with two home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored, five stolen bases and a 7:29 BB:K.
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Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Leaves early with head injury
Rotowire
Cruz was removed from Tuesday's game against the Brewers with a head injury.
Cruz collided with Jack Suwinski while both players attempted to make a diving catch in the fourth inning, and the former needed an extra moment to stand back up. He was later lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth. The Pirates have yet to determine the severity of Cruz's injury.
Cruz is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers.
The left-handed-hitting Cruz will take a seat for the Pirates' second straight matchup with a lefty (Jose Quintana), as he previously exited the lineup in last Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Giants while southpaw Robbie Ray started for San Francisco. Alexander Canario will cover center field in place of Cruz, who is slashing just .110/.219/.190 over 114 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching this season.
Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Giants.
The left-handed-hitting Cruz has gone 0-for-17 over the last four games and the Giants are sending southpaw Robbie Ray to the hill, so the 26-year-old will get a chance to regroup Wednesday. Alexander Canario will patrol center field and bat seventh for the Pirates in the series finale.
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