Pirates Get Good and Bad News on Konnor Griffin, Oneil Cruz Injuries
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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are without two of their best players, but they should be getting one of them back soon.
The Pirates are hoping that shortstop Konnor Griffin and center fielder Oneil Cruz come back to help the team in the near future and there was both good news and both news on each player from general manager Ben Cherington on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan.
Cherington said that they hope Griffin will start a rehab assignment by the end of this week, "barring anything unforeseen."
Cruz is the where the bad news comes on, as Cherington noted Cruz hasn't started any baseball activities yet.
More Info on Griffin, Cruz Injury Return Timelines
Griffin is currently down in Bradenton, Fla., where the Pirates spring training facility is, and has worked on his throwing program, which he's been progressing with after dealing with a forearm flexor strain, that landed him on the 10-day injured list on May 31.
Cherington said Griffin will go back to Pittsburgh for one day of medical evaluation and that they want him to do a rehab assignment before he plays shortstop at the major league level again.
The Pirates center fielder fractured his left hand when he slid into home plate in the 6-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves on June 6, which put him on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to June 8.
Cruz did try to play vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series opener on June 9, but had pain in his hand during hitting, leading the Pirates to scratch him from the lineup.
Cherington said that Cruz's bones need to heal before he resumes baseball activities and that he has an appointment on June 22, which they hope will give them more insight into when they can expect him to return.
His previous update on Cruz last week was four-to-six weeks, which puts him on an injury return for July 12-26.
Pirates Missing Cruz and Griffin Dearly
The Pirates definitely want Cruz and Griffin back in the lineup moving forward, as they've missed their offensive prodcution, speed and defense.
Cruz slashed .264/.350/.472 for an OPS of .822 in 64 games, with 45 runs scored, 66 hits, 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 21 stolen bases on 25 attempts.
He was one of the top home run hitters on the team, along with second baseman Brandon Lowe, while also being one of the best base stealers in the game.
Griffin was around the same, hitting .270/.327/.402 for an OPS of .729 in 51 games, with 30 runs scored, 51 hits, nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 22 RBI and 14 stolen bases on 15 attempts.
He was hitting even better in May, slashing .306/.361/.459 for an OPS of .820, with 30 hits in 98 at-bats, seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, nine RBI and seven stolen bases on eight attempts.
The Pirates have had Jared Triolo at shortstop and Jake Mangum in center field for most games following Griffin and Cruz's respective injuries.
Triolo has slashed .221/.312/.265 for an OPS of .576 in 20 games, with 15 hits in 68 at-bats, three doubles, five RBI and eight walks to 22 strikeouts.
Mangum has had a bit more success at the plate, slashing .302/.318/.372 for an OPS of .690 in 12 games, with 13 hits in 43 at-bats, three doubles, three RBI, three stolen bases on five attempts and one walk to five strikeouts.
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Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.