Ben Cherington's Oneil Cruz injury update raises more questions than answers for Pirates

Oneil Cruz was cleared for all baseball activities on July 29. He's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on Aug. 7. The Pittsburgh Pirates are desperately trying to stay in the National League Wild Card race without one of their most important hitters.

Yet general manager Ben Cherington still cannot — or will not — provide even a rough timeline for Cruz’s return.

Asked when Cruz might be back, Cherington offered an answer that somehow created more uncertainty than clarity.

“Still don't have a specific date or timeline, but I think we're getting closer all the time,” Cherington said (via Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). “We're waiting for maybe a little bit more information from him, but we're anticipating it happening soon.”

What information are the Pirates waiting for? Is Cruz still experiencing discomfort? Does he not feel ready to begin a rehab assignment? Has he experienced a setback? Is this simply a matter of rebuilding timing after a lengthy absence?

Cherington didn't explain. He later added that the Pirates “believe he's making progress” and are “hopeful that he's on track,” while again expressing hope that Cruz will return to games soon.

Believe. Hopeful. Anticipating. Soon.

That's an awful lot of vague language for a player who was supposedly cleared for all baseball activities more than a week ago.

Pirates still have no real Oneil Cruz injury update despite nearing return date

To be clear, no one should expect the Pirates to manufacture a firm activation date before Cruz is ready. Hand injuries can be complicated for hitters, and returning too quickly would accomplish nothing if Cruz can't swing comfortably or effectively.

But there is a significant difference between refusing to guarantee a return date and failing to explain what still needs to happen.

The lack of clarity is especially frustrating because Pittsburgh is not playing out the final weeks of another lost season. The Pirates are trying to make a legitimate playoff push, and Cruz’s absence leaves an already inconsistent lineup without a player who was batting .264 with a .350 OBP and a .472 SLG before landing on the injured list.

Every additional game matters. So does every piece of information about when reinforcements might arrive. Cruz may still be close to beginning a rehab assignment, and he may still return around the middle of August. But Cherington’s latest comments did nothing to establish that with any confidence.

The Pirates don't owe the public every private medical detail. They do, however, owe a clearer explanation than “we’re getting closer.”

For now, the latest Oneil Cruz injury update is that there really is no update at all.

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