Pirates Injury Update: Oneil Cruz cleared, Spencer Horwitz setback, Seth Hernandez

The Pittsburgh Pirates are approaching August with reason to believe some much-needed reinforcements could soon be on the way, even if one key return has become slightly more complicated.

Oneil Cruz appears to be making significant progress from a fractured left hand that has kept him sidelined since early June. Cruz, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier this month, is eligible to return as soon as Aug. 7.

According to Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Cruz has resumed all baseball activities and could soon take another important step in his recovery with live at-bats this week or next.

That puts Cruz in position to potentially begin ramping up toward game action in the near future. He's ineligible to return from the 60-day IL before Aug. 7, which leaves enough time for a potential minor league rehab assignment.

Before the injury, Pittsburgh's leadoff hitter and center fielder was batting .264/.350/.472 through 64 games. Getting Cruz back would provide a significant boost to a Pirates lineup that has spent much of the summer trying to remain in the playoff picture without several important regulars.

Spencer Horwitz's return is less straightforward. The first baseman had already begun a rehab assignment with Low-A Bradenton while working his way back from a left hamstring strain, but he was hit in the head by a pitch during an at-bat over the weekend. Horwitz initially remained in the game — and even homered — before later being flown back to Pittsburgh and diagnosed with a concussion.

The encouraging part is that Horwitz's original injury is no longer the concern, but Horwitz will now have to clear concussion protocol before restarting his path toward the active roster. He was hitting .280 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI and a .386 OBP in 74 games before landing on the injured list.

Top Pirates prospect Seth Hernandez likely done for season after suffering oblique strain

Elsewhere, left-handed reliever Evan Sisk is nearing a Triple-A rehab assignment after missing the past month with left elbow inflammation. Sisk owned a 2.23 ERA before his injury.

Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin remains on track for an early-September return from his left ring finger injury and is already participating in limited baseball activities.

The most concerning update came in the minor leagues. Top pitching prospect Seth Hernandez's season is now in jeopardy because of a significant oblique strain. Hernandez, who is 6-1 with a 2.43 ERA between Low-A and High-A, may not have enough time to complete his rehab and ramp-up before Greensboro's season ends Sept. 6.

For the major-league club, however, the outlook is beginning to brighten. Cruz is moving closer to live pitching, Horwitz's hamstring is fully healed and Sisk is nearing game action.

After spending much of the summer short-handed, the Pirates could finally begin getting healthier just as the stretch run arrives.

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