PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The betting favorite to win the Home Run Derby, will participate tonight after fears and injury could keep him out.
The Pirates confirmed that outfielder Oneil Cruz will participate Monday night in Atlanta.
Cruz suffered a hip flexor injury late in the Pirates game on Saturday in Minnesota and left the game after a base hit in the eighth inning.
Cruz did not play on Sunday.
Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington said during his show on Sunday he was hoping Cruz would be able to participate.
“I would think the benefit is to be in an environment where he is exposed to the very best in the game,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “Exposed to the attention that comes along with that event and being around the best in the game. We’ve seen it, there are games where he takes over. There are games where he is clearly the best player on the field. For Oneil to be the best version of Oneil and for the Pirates to benefit from that, we are always trying to help him get to those games more consistently.”
“See a little bit of how some of those guys operate. How they go about their day and prepare. (It) can only help him.”
Depending on what sportsbook you look at, Cruz is the top or close to the top of the betting favorites.
The Home Run Derby live in Atlanta begins at 8 p.m. Monday night.