The Pittsburgh Pirates’ offense took another major hit this week.
Already without shortstop Konnor Griffin due to a forearm injury, the middle of the order will lose one of baseball’s lone 30/30 candidates for the foreseeable future.
On Wednesday, the Pirates placed center fielder Oneil Cruz on the 10-day injured list.
Cruz was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday due to recurrent left-hand discomfort and was initially viewed as only day-to-day.
Additional tests revealed that Cruz is suffering from non-displaced
fractures in his fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand.
It’s a significant loss for the Pirates and their star center fielder, who is playing the best of his career.
Cruz ranks second in the National League in steals (21), tied for fifth in runs scored (45), and seventh in RBI (44).
Kevin Gorman of the TRIB reported that Cruz is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks.
Cruz was seen in the dugout on the TV broadcast with a cast on his hand. Cruz suffered the injury during the Pirates’ road series against the Atlanta Braves.
Through 64 games, Cruz is slashing .264/.350/.472 with 10 doubles and 14 home runs.
The Pirates recalled Billy Cook to replace Cruz on the 26-man roster, but recalled outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez on Thursday.
Valdez made his MLB debut on May 22 and has hit 13 home runs in Triple-A Indianapolis over 192 at-bats.
The 22-year-old may see significant playing time with Cruz out and profiles best defensively in right. Pittsburgh opted to recall Valdez over Jhostynxon Garcia, who can play all three outfield positions and was sent back to Triple-A earlier this week.
Valdez had two hits in 16 at-bats, both home runs, in his first stint with the Pirates in May. To make room on the roster, the Pirates transferred Davis Wendzel to Indianapolis.
Overcoming Cruz’s absence will be a challenge as the Pirates (34-32) fight for a wild card in the National League.
The Pirates are going to need Valdez, Jake Mangum, and other lesser-established players to step up and keep the Pirates in the running until Cruz comes back.
