PITTSBURGH – Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was removed in the 11th inning of the club’s 3-2 loss to the Braves on Saturday at PNC Park due to lower back tightness.
Cruz appeared to tweak something while running to second base and slowing up after Tommy Pham drew a walk in the ninth inning. Cruz played the field the next frame, but then he did not come back out for the 11th.
Manager Don Kelly described Cruz's status as day to day, but he was not in the lineup for Sunday afternoon's series finale.
Cruz has battled through several ailments since fracturing his left ankle in 2023, but he has been able to avoid the injured list since the start of the 2024 season. Losing Cruz for an extended stretch would be a blow for a struggling Pirates offense, as his eight home runs and 16 stolen bases each lead the club.
The Pirates have options in the outfield if Cruz is unavailable. Ji Hwan Bae was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, and while Pham has been a bit under the weather and out of the starting lineup the past two days, he did come off the bench in both games. Matt Gorski also can play the outfield, though injuries at first base may keep him there for the time being. Andrew McCutchen has also expressed a willingness to play the field, and has done so six times this year.