The Pittsburgh Pirates are reportedly activating center fielder Oneil Cruz from the injured list, per Jason Mackey.
Despite the activation, Cruz is not listed in the Pirates’ starting lineup on Monday, as Pittsburgh faces left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez and the Detroit Tigers.
Cruz hasn’t played since June 7, but that was just as a pinch runner. On June 6, he was sliding into home and happened to suffer two fractures to his hand.
The centerfielder had been hitting well before getting hurt. He had played in 64 games and was slashing .264/.350/.472. While those numbers aren’t off the charts, last season in 135 games he slashed .200/.298/.374, so he was on pace to significantly improve this season.
Cruz made six rehab appearances in the minor leagues. Unfortunately, he struggled when getting back into playing shape. He was just 3 for 22 at the plate for a .136 average, and he had struck out seven times.
The Pirates have been leaning on Jake Mangum and Billy Cook while Cruz has been injured. Mangum should still have a role with the outfield even with Cruz back. He has played in 103 games this season and is hitting .300 with four home runs and 28 RBI.
Cook has struggled. He has made 68 appearances, but many of them have been as a defensive replacement. The outfielder is hitting just .188 and has a .204 on-base percentage.
Utility man Ronny Simon is heading down to Triple-A in a corresponding move. He has only played in nine games, but in 34 plate appearances he is hitting .290 with nine hits and two RBI.
Pittsburgh begins a three-game homestand against the Tigers on Monday. The Pirates are 61-65 and in fourth place in the NL Central.
They haven’t been able to sustain a win streak. While Pittsburgh enters Monday’s game winning three of its last four games, the Pirates are 4-8 in their last 12 games.
Still, if Pittsburgh can get hot down the stretch of the regular season, they have a chance to sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.