Pirates News: Oneil Cruz injury, Konnor Griffin honors, Johan Oviedo timeline

As if the Pittsburgh Pirates' 14-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers wasn't devastating enough, they also lost one of their most important players to a scary injury on Tuesday night.

Center fielder Oneil Cruz left Tuesday's game in the fourth inning after a collision in the outfield, and the Pirates announced that he was being evaluated for a head injury. The club has since announced that Cruz has been placed on the seven-day concussion injured list.

Cruz needed an extra moment to get back to his feet after colliding with left fielder Jack Suwinski after diving for a ball hit by Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz in the bottom of the fourth inning at American Family Field. He was later lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth, thus ending his night early.

In a corresponding move to Cruz's IL placement, the Pirates have recalled outfielder Ronny Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis. Simon, who was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins in June, will start in right field for the Pirates and bat in the leadoff spot in Wednesday's series finale against the Brewers.

Pirates News: Konnor Griffin makes MLB Pipeline's Team of the Week

Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, enjoyed some of his best performances of the season last week. MLB Pipeline recognized him for his accomplishments, naming him to their Team of the Week featuring the best performing prospects in baseball.

Griffin and High-A Greensboro dominated in their six-game road series against Asheville, the High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, winning five of the six games and finishing with a run-differential of 54-19.

Griffin slashed .357/.424/.714 for an OPS of 1.139 over six games last week, racking up 10 hits in 28 at-bats. He hit a double, three home runs for 11 RBI to go along with four walks to six strikeouts and three stolen bases on four attempts.

Pirates News: Ben Cherington gives update on Johan Oviedo return timeline

Starting pitcher Johan Oviedo made a brief return to the Pirates after a lengthy stint on the injured list, but his return to the minor leagues shortly after caused some confusion among the fanbase as to whether he would be a part of the Pirates' rotation going forward.

Oviedo made his 2025 debut in Pittsburgh's series opener against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Aug. 4. He only pitched one inning, throwing 43 pitches and allowing two earned runs, but also posting three strikeouts.

The Priates proceeded to option Oviedo to Triple-A Indianapolis the next day, bringing up right-handed reliever Cam Sanders to take his spot on the active roster. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington addressed the decision on his weekly radio show on 93.7 The Fan on Aug. 10, saying that the Pirates didn't initially plan to option Oviedo after his first outing, but that his performance in said outing necessitated a change.

Oviedo made his first start back with Indianapolis on Aug. 9 and threw 63 pitches over 3 2/3 innings, giving up two hits, a walk and an earned run while posting eight strikeouts against Omaha. Cherington said that he would have at least one more start during his minimum 15-day stay at Triple-A before he can return to the Majors and that the hope was for Oviedo's pitch count to reach the upper 70s or low 80s in that start, if possible.

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