UPDATE: The Pirates confirm Cruz had surgery and will be out around four months.
According to several sources, including Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh short stop has had surgery to repair a fractured left ankle.
Recovery for a fractured ankle is typically at least eight weeks, which is where Mackey has him, but adds since it only happened during Sunday’s game, things can change, and they did with the Pirates saying he may not return till August.
He adds that the ankle was the part of Cruz that was operated on, indicating no other issues surrounding the injury.
The surgery reportedly happened last Sunday after the Pirates 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox, to take the series and a 6-3 overall record.
Cruz was at third base and trying to score on a grounder by teammate Ke’Bryan Hayes and as he slid home he collided with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala.
He was attempting to slide, but contacted the legs of Zavala and Cruz’s leg bent awkwardly as he was tagged out.
The 24-year-old was in visible pain as it first appeared the Chicago catcher stood over him and said something. Bucs’ Carlos Santana took exception to it and the benches cleared, but no punches and no ejections.
The 6’7” shortstop was hitting .267 in seven games this season with a double, a home run, four RBI and walked six times for a .378 OBP.
Last season he wowed fans with 13 doubles, four triples, 17 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 87 games.