PITTSBURGH — This article originally appeared on PGHBaseballNOW.
The Pirates are getting a key piece back as center fielder Oneil Cruz is being reinstated from the 60-day injured list. Cruz had originally been placed on the 10-day IL on July 10 with left-hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures.
The 27-year-old was in the midst of a strong season before the injury. In 64 games to start the year, Cruz batted .264/.350/.472 with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 21 steals. He was the league-leader in stolen bases before getting hurt.
Cruz made noted improvements against left-handed pitching, an area the Pirates have largely struggled with in his absence. After hitting just .102 with a .400 OPS and one home run in 125 plate appearances against left-handers last year, Cruz is slashing .312/.361/.507 with four homers in 83 plate appearances against southpaws this season.
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