Apr 9, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Seby Zavala (44) tags Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (15) out at home plate attempting to score during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Cruz suffered an apparent injury on the play and left the game. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The benches cleared between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox on Sunday after Oneil Cruz was injured on an awkward collision at home plate.
On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Pirates looked to win their second series of the season after splitting the first two games against the Chicago White Sox. In the top of the sixth inning, the Pirates were in position to add to their 1-0 lead over the White Sox. Unfortunately for them, they saw one of their top players go down with an injury.
After Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a grounder to third base, Pirates star Oneil Cruz ran home to try and put a run on the board. But, Cruz had an awkward collision with catcher Seby Zavala after Yoan Moncada threw the ball at home plate. Cruz’s ankle bent awkwardly and was writhing in pain. Zavala appeared to say “b**** what the f*** was that?” to Cruz as he was on the ground. Then, Carlos Santana went after Zavala but the two were separated, and the benches cleared.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton revealed after the game that Cruz had suffered a fractured left ankle.
Oneil Cruz ankle injury causes Pirates, White Sox benches to clear
Cruz needed help to get into the dugout, and he was eventually replaced in the batting order by second baseman Ji Hwan Bae, and Rodolfo Castro shifted over to shortstop.
No one was ejected from the game. It will remain to be seen if there will be discipline from the league in the coming days.
This season, Cruz recorded a .250 batting average, a .375 on-base percentage, a .375 slugging percentage, one home run, four RBI, seven runs scored and eight hits.
We will continue to keep you updated on Cruz’s injury, specifically how much time he could miss.