Pirates announce 2 big decisions including Oneil Cruz bombshell

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a flurry of roster moves Monday, but perhaps the most significant move was one that wouldn't show up on any official transaction pages.

As first reported by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced that shortstop Oneil Cruz will begin seeing time at center field. Shelton suggested that the move will be permanent, noting that Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Gonzales will be the team's everyday options at shortstop and second base, respectively.

Cruz has 24 errors at shortstop this season, the second most in the major leagues, as well as a minus-9 defensive runs saved. Half of his errors have been committed since July 21. The Pirates want to keep Cruz's bat in the lineup, and the hope is that his large frame (6-foot-7, 230 pounds) and athleticism will translate well in center field.

According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates plan to ease Cruz into his transition to the outfield by deploying him primarily as a designated hitter to start. The Pirates have tried Cruz in the outfield before, in Grapefruit League games during spring training and in the minor leagues. In 2022, they put him in left field in 10 games at Triple-A Indianapolis and for one inning in the majors.

Pirates activate Nick Gonzales from IL ahead of Cubs series

The decision to move Cruz to the outfield comes after the Pirates announced Monday that Gonzales had been reinstated from the injured list after completing his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Gonzales was placed on the 10-day IL with a groin injury on July 28 and began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Aug. 20. He recorded at least one hit in each of his three appearances with Indianapolis last week before the Pirates activated him from the IL Monday.

Jared Jones returns to Pirates starting rotation for Cubs series

The Pirates have also announced Jared Jones is making his first start on the mound since going on the injured list, slotting him in for Tuesday's start against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.

Jones, who has been sidelined since early July with a Grade 2 right lat strain, has been cleared to return from the injured list after making three rehab starts with Triple-A Indianapolis. The rookie right-hander's last rehab outing saw him strike out 10 while giving up just one hit and one walk over five shutout innings. Jones threw 73 pitches in his latest start, so he may see a somewhat limited workload against the Cubs.

Jones' return completes the three-headed monster in Pittsburgh's pitching rotation consisting of staff ace Mitch Keller and flame-throwing rookie Paul Skenes, who are scheduled to start Monday and Wednesday, respectively.

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