Pirates dealt a 'big blow' as shortstop Oneil Cruz fractures ankle in home plate collision

After an awkward slide and collision with Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala, Oneil Cruz was in obvious pain, and his left leg bent at an odd angle underneath him.

Cruz slid backward to inch away from home plate before turning onto his right side. As benches cleared in the sixth inning of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1-0 win Sunday afternoon at PNC Park, assistant trainer Tony Leo rushed to attend to Cruz and ended up covering the 6-foot-7 shortstop from the chaos that erupted around them.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton revealed after the game that Cruz had fractured his left ankle and still was being evaluated. According to a source, Cruz underwent surgery on his ankle late Sunday night. The injury dealt a serious setback to a team that had won six of its first nine games, including five of the past six, and is set to host the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros for a three-game series.

“It’s just a big blow to our lineup, to our team,” Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes said. “It sucks any time anyone gets injured on your team. He’s our leadoff hitter and our shortstop, so it definitely sucks. It affects it a lot, just the range that he has and the presence he has on the field, the guy he is, the leadoff hitter and how he runs the bases — all of that. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways just by being on the field so it’s definitely a big blow.”

The 24-year-old Cruz is a budding star who hit 17 home runs and had 54 RBIs in 87 games to finish sixth in National League rookie of the year voting last season, breaking Statcast records along the way with outrageous exit velocities and throws across the infield.

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Cruz was slashing .250/.359/.375 with two extra-base hits, four RBIs and seven runs scored through the first nine games. That includes a 425-foot solo home run in the 5-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day. He also had been solid at shortstop, turning six double plays and committing only one (throwing) error in 30 chances this season.

“It’s hard, especially Cruz. He’s one of the best shortstops or infielders in the league,” Pirates first baseman/designated hitter Carlos Santana said. “We have to keep it up and keep continuing how we’ve played.”

With Cruz likely headed to the 60-day injured list, Shelton and the Pirates (6-3) talked about taking a next-man-up mentality and remaining focused on playing winning baseball while he’s out.

“Obviously, losing Oneil is a blow because he’s a big part of what we do on both sides of the ball,” Shelton said. “The flip side of that, because of the depth we’ve created over the last couple years we’re probably in a better spot to handle it than we have been previously.”

Shelton wasn’t ready to discuss potential replacements, but Rodolfo Castro moved to shortstop for the final two innings and Ji Hwan Bae filled in at second base. The Pirates are expected to add another infielder Monday and can choose from Tucupita Marcano, Mark Mathias and Chris Owings at Triple-A Indianapolis or Liover Peguero at Double-A Altoona, all of whom have major-league experience.

The nature of Cruz’s injury had a profound impact on the Pirates as their clubhouse was more somber than celebratory after clinching their second consecutive series win, taking two of three from the White Sox following a sweep at the Boston Red Sox.

The Pirates were leading 1-0 when Cruz drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and advanced to third on Bryan Reynolds’ single to right. Cruz attempted to score on a Hayes chopper to third, but Yoan Moncada’s high throw to Zavala beat Cruz to the plate.

Cruz was in full sprint down the third-base line when he saw Zavala reach up to catch the ball and slid late, creating a bang-bang play at the plate. Cruz threw his hands up and attempted to slide but was injured when his left leg buckled and he collided with Zavala.

“It’s an unfortunate play, an awkward slide,” Hayes said. “I don’t think there was any malicious intent by their catcher. It was kind of a weird play.”

Santana, standing in the on-deck circle, took exception when Zavala screamed at Cruz about the late slide as he was writhing on the dirt. When Santana shoved Zavala with his left arm, both benches emptied. Shelton and starting pitcher Johan Oviedo stepped between Santana and Zavala to prevent punches from being thrown, but a melee ensued.

“What I don’t like is (that) he screamed at him when he got hurt,” Santana said. “I had to support him and my teammates.”

Cruz finally was able to get up off the ground but required the assistance of bench coach Don Kelly and physical therapist Seth Steinauer to limp off the field. Cruz was not available for a postgame interview.

“When I had looked at it on video I thought it was worse than it was,” Hayes said. “Thankfully, it wasn’t an ACL or anything like that. We were able to get the win in a hard-fought game, so it’s kind of a bittersweet win. Losing a player like Cruz sucks.”