Oneil Cruz Begins Rehab Assignment with Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that outfielder Oneil Cruz will begin a major league rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians as they continue their homestand against the Iowa Cubs tonight at 7:05 PM ET. Cruz is the seventh MLB rehabber assigned to Indy this season, following right-handed pitcher Jared Jones, catcher Joey Bart, right-handed pitcher Wilber Dotel, catcher/first baseman Endy Rodríguez, left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk and right-handed pitcher Chris Devenski.

Cruz, 27, joins Indy for its playoff push, with the club just 1.0 games back of first place in the International League second half standings. He was placed on the 10-day injured list by Pittsburgh on June 10 (retroactive to June 8) with left hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures and later transferred to the 60-day IL on July 18. Cruz logged 64 games with Pittsburgh prior to his injury, posting a .264 average, 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 30 walks, 45 runs, 21 stolen bases and an .822 OPS this season.

The Nizao, Dominican Republic native is in his sixth season with the Pirates, appearing in 443 games with a .237 average, 76 doubles, 10 triples, 74 home runs, 242 RBI, 180 walks, 233 runs, 94 stolen bases and a .747 OPS. Cruz began the 2026 season representing the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as the squad captured the bronze medal. Known for his power and speed combination, he led the National League with 38 stolen bases in 2025 and became the first Pittsburgh player to do so since Tony Womack claimed the title in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998.

Cruz played six games with Indianapolis in 2021 and 55 contests with the club in 2022, posting a collective .259 average, eight doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and an .870 OPS.

Cruz was originally signed by Los Angeles (NL) as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015. The Dodgers traded him to Pittsburgh on July 31, 2017, along with right-handed pitcher Angel German, in exchange for left-handed pitcher Tony Watson.

Friday night at Victory Field is Faith and Fellowship Night for an evening of connection and fellowship at the ballpark. Pregame live music from the Northview Church worship team will be on-hand for fans to watch and listen to from 6:00-6:40 PM, along with postgame Friday Fireworks.

Indianapolis’ MLB rehab assignments are presented by Franciscan Health