Injuries & Moves: Cruz (left ankle discomfort) out of lineup
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Sept. 16: NF/OF Oneil Cruz out for series opener
Cruz was held out of the lineup Monday after leaving Sunday’s game in the seventh inning with left ankle discomfort. Manager Derek Shelton said the discomfort is a lingering effect of the fracture that derailed nearly the entire 2023 season for Cruz.
“I think we're going to battle with Oneil throughout probably the next couple years because of the significance of the injury,” Shelton said. “Continue to monitor him, see where he's at. Didn't feel that it was prudent to have him play today and again, just, you know, monitor him as the game goes on and into tomorrow.”
7-DAY/10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes (lower back inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Hayes was placed on the IL on Aug. 19 due to lower back inflammation. The plan is to continue to rehab and get his body and core as strong as can possibly be, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Hayes will begin some light baseball activities, such as playing catch soon, but no decision has been made on if he will return to play this season. (Last updated: Sept. 13).
C Henry Davis (left hand inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Davis' stint on the injured list is retroactive to Sept. 5 and it is the second time he's been on the injured list during what has been a challenging season, hitting .144 in the Majors. (Last updated: Sept. 8)
RHP Braxton Ashcraft (recurrent right forearm injury; Pirates' No. 4 prospect, No. 91 overall)
Expected return: TBD
Ashcraft pitched one inning on Aug. 30 in his first start back from the injured list, but was placed on the injured list the following day. Ashcraft has excelled on the field, but has made three trips to the injured list since June 28, with right elbow inflammation causing him to miss a month and a half from mid-July to late August. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
RHP Ben Heller (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Heller was placed on the injured list on Aug. 30 with right shoulder inflammation. He has made eight appearances in the Majors this year, recording an 11.25 ERA. (Last updated: Aug. 30)
60-DAY IL
LHP Marco Gonzales (left forearm strain)
Expected return: Late 2025
Gonzales underwent left flexor tendon surgery and had a brace placed on his UCL, but it was not a revision. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Steven Shin, and he is projected to return to action in 12 months. Gonzales made seven starts for the Pirates this year, going 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA. (Last updated: Sept. 13)
RHP Johan Oviedo (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Oviedo is throwing out to 120 feet four times a week, another benchmark in his return from Tommy John surgery. According to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, he is projected to be ready for Spring Training 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 13)
RHP Dauri Moreta (UCL surgery)
Expected return: Mid 2025
Moreta has started to play catch, throwing out to 60 feet, approximately six months after his Tommy John surgery. According to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, he is projected for a return to games in June 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 13)
C Endy Rodríguez (right elbow surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Rodríguez will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona this week, and then he'll move to Triple-A Indianapolis once the Curve's season ends. Playing in organized games was far from guaranteed for Rodríguez after undergoing elbow surgery last December, but he did well throughout his rehab to give him this opportunity. (Last updated: Sep. 9)
RHP Daulton Jefferies (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Jefferies allowed one hit and one earned run in one inning during his first rehab outing with Triple-A Indianapolis on Aug. 30. The assignment came shortly after he threw a live batting practice with Indianapolis during the week of Aug. 19 and came out of it feeling good. (Last updated: Sept. 4)
RHP Hunter Stratton (ruptured left patella tendon)
Expected return: 2025
Stratton underwent surgery to repair his ruptured patella tendon on Aug. 26. The projected return to competition is seven to 10 months. Stratton suffered the injury chasing a loose ball and then sliding into the limestone behind home plate at PNC Park. (Last updated: Aug. 28)