(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a surprisingly good start this season, having gone 6-3 through their first nine games.
However, on Sunday, the team was dealt a significant blow when Oneil Cruz injured his ankle on a play at the plate during the team’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox.
After the benches cleared and Cruz was helped off the field, it was revealed by Pirates manager Derek Shelton that his star shortstop had fractured his ankle, which had Pirates fans fearing the worst.
Cruz underwent surgery on Sunday night to repair his ankle.
On Twitter, the Pirates provided an update on the star shortstop and revealed a potential timetable for his return.
Oneil Cruz had surgery last evening at Allegheny General Hospital by Dr. Greg Altman and Dr. Darren Frank. The surgery stabilized the fractured fibula and addressed the injury to the syndesmosis.
We anticipate a return to action in 4 months.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 10, 2023
The Pirates revealed that the surgery had stabilized the fracture in Cruz’s ankle and addressed the injury.
The Bucs closed their statement by saying that they anticipate the 24-year-old returning to action in roughly four months.
That would put Cruz’s return date at around August.
While the Pirates are fortunate that the injury won’t keep Cruz out for the remainder of the season, it still is a significant blow, especially considering that the team has been performing well thus far and are only a game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
As of now, the Pirates may need to find a temporary replacement for Cruz while he recovers from his ankle surgery and makes his way back to full strength.
The Pirates will open up a three-game set against the Houston Astros on Monday.
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