More information has been released about the injury of Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop O’Neal Cruz.
The Pirates club announced the news of Cruise’s surgery through the club’s official social media on the 11th (Korean time).
According to this, Cruise underwent surgery to stabilize the fractured shinbone and connect ligaments at Allegheny General Hospital the previous day under the supervision of Dr. Greg Altman and Dr. Darren Frank.
The Pirates estimated it would take four months to ‘be able to play again’.
If ‘being able to work again’ means returning to the game, Cruise can return in August.
Previously, local media such as ‘MLB.com’안전놀이터 cited sources and said that Cruise could return within the season.
Cruz suffered an injury during a home game against the Chicago White Sox held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the previous day.
In the bottom of the 6th inning, he was on third base and collided with the opposing catcher while sliding home when Ki Brian Hayes grounded to third base. He injured his leg in the process.
After Cruz’s injury, players on both teams became emotional and bench clearing occurred.
Cruise, who boasts a tall height of 201 centimeters, debuted in the big leagues in the second half of the 2021 season, and has recorded a batting average of 0.237, on-base percentage, 0.302 slugging percentage, 0.449, 19 home runs and 61 RBIs in 98 games so far.
He started the season as the team’s main shortstop in the 2023 season, but was unable to avoid a long hiatus.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh put Cruz on the 10-day disabled list and called up utility player Mark Mathias.