Pirates Place Star Outfielder on IL
The injury bug continues to make its way through the Pittsburgh Pirates' clubhouse as the team announced on Wednesday that they are placing its star outfielder on the IL.
Oneil Cruz has been battling a left hand injury for several days and was notably scratched before Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While it was clear that he was trying to play through the pain, the Pirates finally decided to place Cruz on the 10-Day IL retroactive to June 8th.
The team is officially calling the injury nondisplaced fractures in both his fourth and fifth metacarpals on his left hand. According to Kevin Gorman of Tribune Review Sports, Cruz is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
ROSTER MOVES: Today we placed OF Oneil Cruz on the 10-day injured list (left hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures), retroactive to Monday (June 8), and recalled OF Billy Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 10, 2026
Cruz's absence will put the Pirates' offense in an even bigger bind. The team is already without star rookie Konnor Griffin, who is on the 10-Day IL with an elbow injury. Cruz has been one of the main contributors for the Pirates, posting a slash line of .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 21 stolen bases. Cruz leads the team in runs scored, RBI, and stolen bases, and also leads MLB in strikeouts with 98 in 64 games.
The injury is believed to have occurred in Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Cruz was attempting to score from first base, but was tagged hard on his hand by Braves catcher Austin Wynns. Cruz also sat out during Sunday's series finale against Atlanta, but appeared in the top of the ninth inning as a pinch runner.
Bad news: The Pirates placed CF Oneil Cruz on the 10-day IL with non-displaced fourth & fifth metacarpal fractures in his left hand, retroactive to Monday (June 8) and recalled OF Billy Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis. Even worse: Cruz is expected to be out for at least a month.
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) June 10, 2026
Given that the MLB All-Star Break is between July 13th and 16th, it appears from the timeline that Cruz should be able to return after the break. Even still, an extended absence for Cruz will be detrimental to the Pirates' playoff hopes. The Pirates are currently tied for third in the NL Central division, but are eight games back of the Milwaukee Brewers for first place. Pittsburgh is right in the thick of the NL Wild Card race, though, and is 0.5 games back of the three-way tie for the final NL Wild Card spot.
In a corresponding move, the Pirates are recalling outfielder Billy Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis.
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 3:06 PM.