RADIO
Oneil Cruz Begins Rehab Assignment Friday
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (left hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, according to Alex Stumpf. Cruz has been out since early June with non-displaced fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand and was transferred to the 60-day injured list July 18. This will be his first game action in roughly two months. The 27-year-old was hitting .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs, and 21 stolen bases in 64 games before getting hurt. Pittsburgh has not announced how many rehab games Cruz will need before being activated. Still, getting him back into competitive games is a significant step, and fantasy managers should continue holding him as he works toward a return.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Pirates Still Don't Have Specific Timetable for Oneil Cruz's Return
The Pittsburgh Pirates still do not have a specific timetable for outfielder Oneil Cruz's (hand) return from the 60-day injured list, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Still don't have a specific date or timeline, but I think we're getting closer all the time. We're waiting for maybe a little bit more information from him, but we're anticipating it happening soon," general manager Ben Cherington said. Despite starting baseball activities on July 29, it doesn't appear that the 27-year-old will be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Friday. Fantasy managers will need to be a bit more patient. Once he's cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment, his return to the big leagues won't be far off, barring a setback. The Dominican outfielder is a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active for the Bucs, and he has hit .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored across his 250 at-bats in 2026 in his sixth major-league season in Pittsburgh. Cruz had a league-high 38 stolen bases in 2025 and is one of the best power/speed assets in baseball when he's healthy.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Pirates Release Veteran Marcell Ozuna
The Pittsburgh Pirates released veteran outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna on Wednesday, a source told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates cut Ozuna after signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal in the offseason. The 35-year-old Dominican veteran started the year as the team's full-time DH, but he quickly became a part-time player in Pittsburgh due to his ongoing struggles at the plate. Ozuna has hit just .203/.286/.327 with a .612 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a career-high 28.6% strikeout rate in 280 plate appearances across 70 games in his 14th year in the big leagues. The right-handed slugger had gone 8-for-37 (.216) with a homer, a double, three RBI, four runs scored, six walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 games in the month of July. Ozuna will look to latch on with another team for the stretch run, but he's unlikely to suddenly re-emerge on the fantasy radar. The three-time All-Star hit a career-high 40 home runs just several years ago in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, but he's seen a sharp decline in his offensive skills the last two seasons.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Pirates to Promote Ronny Simon After Dominant Triple-A Effort
Pittsburgh Pirates infield/outfield prospect Ronny Simon is expected to get the call to the big leagues on Wednesday after a strong campaign at Triple-A Indianapolis. The 5-foot-8 Dominican hit .330 with seven home runs and 33 steals in 99 games for the Indians, while producing a strong .419 on-base percentage thanks in part to a 12.4 percent walk rate. Despite not having big home run totals, his hard-hit rate, average exit velocity (EV), and max EV all register 84th percentile or better at Triple-A, so he has the ability to hit for extra bases, and along with his speed, there are some attributes here that make him a potential fantasy asset. Though the switch-hitter didn't do much in his previous taste of the majors in 2025, there is reason to believe he could have more success this time around. With eligibility at 2B and OF in Yahoo! leagues, the 26-year-old is worth a look in deeper 12+ team leagues, or for any fantasy managers searching the waiver wire for steals.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Ryan O'Hearn Out 6-8 Weeks With Quadriceps Strain
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a strained left quadriceps muscle that is expected to keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, according to Jason Mackey. O'Hearn injured his quad while running to first base on Friday, and the injury could keep him out for the remainder of the 2026 season. It's a really tough break for the 33-year-old left-handed slugger, who was in the midst of the best year of his MLB career. If O'Hearn doesn't play again for Pittsburgh this year, he'll finish with a .270/.334/.454 slash line, a .788 OPS, a career-high-tying 17 home runs, 69 RBI, 54 runs scored, and a stolen base in 96 games across 398 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues should not feel the need to hold O'Hearn on their rosters because of the high likelihood he won't play again this year. Rookie Rafael Flores Jr., who is coming off the concussion injured list, and Jacob Gonzalez could split playing time at first base for the Bucs going forward with O'Hearn on the shelf.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Oneil Cruz is Cleared for All Baseball Activities
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) has been cleared to resume all baseball activities on Wednesday. Cruz appears to be finally trending in the right direction as he continues to work his way back from a fractured left hand. The organization is hopeful he can start swinging the bat soon and then head out on a minor league rehab assignment. He's eligible to return from the 60-day Injured List on August 7, so hopefully he'll be ready around that time. Jake Mangum has been starting in center field, but will likely head to a bench role once Cruz is ready to play. Fantasy managers will hopefully get Cruz back in the mix within the next two weeks.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Pirates Promoting Jhostynxon Garcia to the Big Leagues
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia is being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to the big leagues on Wednesday, per Jason Mackey of MLB.com. Garcia struggled in a small sample size of 37 plate appearances upon making his Pirates debut in late May, hitting .200 with one extra-base hit and a 27% strikeout rate. However, the 23-year-old has been productive this season in the minor leagues, slashing .279/.346/.459 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 263 plate appearances. Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez are likely locked into everyday playing time in the corner outfield spots in Pittsburgh, but Garcia could steal playing time in center field from Jake Mangum or at designated hitter from Marcell Ozuna. In deeper leagues, Garcia may be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Jason Mackey
Source: MLB.com - Jason Mackey
Esmerlyn Valdez Returning to the Lineup on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (hand) will be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, according to Jason Mackey. Valdez will return to action a day after he was hit by a pitch on his left hand, which caused him to be removed from Monday's game early. Thankfully, tests on Valdez's hand came back negative for any fractures. The 22-year-old Dominican has been excellent in his first 124 major-league at-bats in 2026, slashing .290/.386/.702 with a 1.088 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored across his 38 games and 145 plate appearances. Valdez has been one of the most popular waiver-wire pickups for his power. Although he still has a 1.043 OPS in 21 games in July, Valdez has cooled off of late, going 3-for-16 with eight strikeouts in his last six games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that he can turn things around in his return on Tuesday at PNC Park.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Esmerlyn Valdez Day-to-Day With Hand Contusion
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (hand) is considered day-to-day with a left-hand contusion after tests showed no fractures, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Valdez was forced from Monday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks early after he was hit on the left hand by a pitch. Thankfully, the 22-year-old has avoided a serious injury, but he might be held out of action on Tuesday for the second game of the series. The right-handed-hitting Dominican outfielder has been one of the hottest waiver-wire pickups in fantasy baseball since his MLB debut earlier this year, as he's tearing the cover off the baseball with a .290/.386/.702 slash line with a 1.088 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored in only 38 games and 145 plate appearances. In 21 games and 91 plate appearances in July, Valdez has gone 21-for-76 (.276) with a 1.043 OPS, eight homers, three doubles, a triple, 24 RBI, and 16 runs for the Bucs. Check back later to see if he's ready to return to Pittsburgh's starting nine against Arizona.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Oneil Cruz Having "Good Days of Late," Rehab Assignment Could Come Soon
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that center fielder Oneil Cruz (hand) has had "good days of late," according to Dominic Campbell of Sports Illustrated. Cruz seems to be past the soreness of where his fractured hand is on contact, and his bones are healing. His next step is to ramp up his baseball activities before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Cherington thinks that Cruz could be ready to come off the 60-day injured list during the early window of eligibility to return, which will come on Aug. 7. The 27-year-old Dominican has been sidelined with a fractured left hand since June 8. Cruz has been swinging a bat for a few weeks and is improving, so fantasy managers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for his return. With one of the fastest bat speeds in baseball, Cruz can be a five-category game-changer down the stretch if he's fully healthy. Before his hand injury, he was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored across his 250 at-bats.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Dominic Campbell
Source: Sports Illustrated - Dominic Campbell
Esmerlyn Valdez Leaves Early on Monday After Being Hit in Wrist Area
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (wrist) left Monday's game early against the Arizona Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch in the left wrist area in the fourth inning, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Before leaving the contest early, Valdez went 0-for-1 at the plate. He was replaced in right field by Tyler Callihan, who moved from first base. Valdez will almost certainly go for X-rays on his hand/wrist to determine if he's dealing with any cracked bones. The 22-year-old Dominican outfielder has burst onto the scene in the Steel City in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, as he came into Monday's series opener with a .293/.385/.707 slash line, 1.092 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 37 games across 143 plate appearances. His strong start to his MLB career has earned him an everyday role and has made him one of the most popular recent waiver-wire pickups in fantasy baseball leagues. For now, we'll consider Valdez day-to-day until we know more about his hand/wrist injury. UPDATE: Valdez is expected to undergo more imaging on Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Kevin Gorman.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Bryan Reynolds is Bouncing Back in 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds put together one of the worst seasons of his career last year. It wasn't an awful year, but Reynolds is expected to play at an All-Star level, which is something he didn't do last season. Now, Reynolds is back and has rebounded nicely at the plate. Through 103 games, Reynolds is slashing .275/.391/.463 with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, and seven stolen bases this season. It appears Reynolds is finally back to the normal version of himself that fantasy managers expect to see. Fantasy managers might want to take advantage of the resurgence now and cash in by trading him.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jake Mangum a Deep-League Speed Option if his Foot Checks Out
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Jake Mangum (foot) collected two hits, stole his 19th base, and knocked in an insurance run during Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Yankees. He also fouled a ball off his right foot. Mangum finished the opener but was scratched from the second game of the doubleheader so Pittsburgh could examine the injury. The Pirates hope to have him back Friday. Mangum is batting .303 with two home runs, 35 runs, 21 RBI, and 19 steals across 251 at-bats. There is almost no power here, but that is not why fantasy managers are looking his way. He can help in average and make a real difference in stolen bases. His name appears on just 11% of Yahoo rosters, while RotoBaller ranks him in the 15-team range. Mangum is worth adding there once the foot checks out.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oneil Cruz Moved to 60-Day Injured List
The Pittsburgh Pirates moved outfielder Oniel Cruz (hand) to the 60-day injured list on Saturday, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. There hasn't been a setback in Cruz's rehab from a fractured hand he suffered in June, and he will be eligible to return to the major-league roster on Aug. 8. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his hand as he begins to ramp up his baseball activities in the coming weeks, Cruz stands a good chance of returning right on Aug. 8. The 27-year-old Dominican must remain stashed in all fantasy formats as a five-category producer when healthy. Before getting hurt, Cruz was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in his 250 at-bats. Cruz led the league in stolen bases with 38 in 2025, and he's had at least 21 steals in each of the last three seasons while also contributing at least 20 homers in the last two campaigns. When Cruz is activated from the 60-day IL in early April, he'll return to being Pittsburgh's everyday center fielder.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Edward Florentino Nearing Promotion Amid Torrid Stretch at High-A
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino has continued to swing a scorching hot bat at the High-A level and is making a strong case to receive a taste of Double-A late in the 2026 season. Over his last 14 contests at High-A Greensboro, the 19-year-old outfielder has posted a sharp .283/.338/.683 line with a 1.022 OPS. During this stretch, Florentino has launched six long balls and added four doubles with an 18:5 K:BB. His recent surge is worth noting, as Florentino carried a much lower .212/.366/.412 line with a modest .778 OPS over his first 48 games of the season (shared between both Low-A and High-A). While the No. 30-ranked prospect in the sport remains far from his MLB debut, he is continuing to rise up dynasty rankings and is establishing himself as one of the sport's top outfield prospects.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
