Oneil Cruz

Cruz begins a Triple-A rehab assignment Friday after missing two months with fractures in his left hand. Pittsburgh may accelerate a return because it is in the playoff race, but several rehab games remain the preferred path. Keep him stashed and make room for a possible Aug. 14 activation.

Cruz was transferred to the 60-day IL July 18 with non-displaced fractures in his 4th and 5th metacarpals, making him eligible to return no earlier than August 8. He originally went on the IL June 9. With Pittsburgh expected to be a deadline seller, even his eventual return comes with diminished context.

Non-displaced fourth and fifth metacarpal fractures in his left hand. No official return timeline has been provided; metacarpal fractures typically require four to six weeks depending on the player's response. The IL start date and projected activation window are still being confirmed.

Cruz remains one of the most-watched IL stashes of the season — Jake Mangum has been filling his role with a .311 average and 18 stolen bases on the year. When healthy, Cruz is one of the rare five-category contributors at shortstop. No official return timeline announced heading into the All-Star break; fantasy managers should keep him stashed.

Cruz is sidelined with a hand injury and is not expected back until mid-to-late July. Before going down, he was one of the best values in fantasy baseball — 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases, a rare power-speed combination from shortstop. The Pirates have not provided a firm return date beyond the mid-to-late July window.

Placed on the 10-day IL retroactive to June 9 with non-displaced fourth and fifth metacarpal fractures in his left hand, sustained during a head-first slide at home plate on June 6 against Atlanta. The initial diagnosis was a cut; further imaging revealed the fractures. Pittsburgh expects Cruz out approximately one month, making the All-Star break a realistic return target. Billy Cook was recalled in the corresponding move.

Non-displaced fractures to the left hand fourth and fifth metacarpals, sustained June 8 while being tagged out sliding into home plate. The Pirates placed him on the 10-day IL retroactively; no surgery currently planned. Expected out approximately four weeks, meaning his earliest return is around July 8. Billy Cook recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.