Pittsburgh Pirates' Star Expected to Be Full-Go at Spring Training After Injury-Riddled Year
Pittsburgh Pirates young star O'Neil Cruz is expected to be fully healthy for spring training, according to general manager Ben Cherington.
Per a story from Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
“All of the updates we’ve gotten over the last couple weeks have been encouraging,” Cherington said. “He’s feeling good physically. That’s as far as we’ve gone. We’re continuing to take it a day at a time.”
The next step for Cruz, with the Arizona Fall League now a moot point, will be a more competitive environment. Cherington said winter ball in the Dominican Republic is something the Pirates are considering, along with sending Cruz to their academy there.
Cruz fractured his ankle in early April and wasn't able to return at all last season, which was a devastating blow to a young Pirates team.
Cruz is a huge part of what the Pirates do and a major centerpiece of their organizational rebuild. He hit .250 for the 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.
In addition to Cruz, the Pirates also have Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes locked up long-term, which gives fans of the organization some excitement. Pittsburgh also selected LSU right-hander Paul Skenes with the No. 1 pick in the draft in July.
The Pirates finished fourth in the National League Central.
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