Pittsburgh Pirates News Roundup: Cruz Nears Return, Roster Moves Shake Up Bullpen and Catching Depth

Welcome to your easy-to-understand guide to the latest Pittsburgh Pirates happenings! Whether you’re a die-hard Buccos fan or just checking in, we’ll break down the big moves, the injuries, and what it all means—no confusing baseball jargon required.

Oneil Cruz Is Almost Back: What You Need to Know

The Short Version

Star shortstop Oneil Cruz is getting close to playing real games again after breaking bones in his left hand back in June.

The Timeline: Step by Step

1. June 7: Cruz slid headfirst into home plate and hurt his hand.
2. Diagnosis: He had nondisplaced fractures (small cracks where the bone stays in place) in the fourth and fifth metacarpals (the bones in your hand leading to your ring finger and pinky).
3. The Problem: This made it painful to grip a bat and swing hard.
4. Rehab in Bradenton, FL: He did grip-strength exercises and slowly started hitting again.
5. Early August: He felt good enough to swing at 100% effort without pain.
6. Next Step: A Minor League Rehab Assignment (playing a few games in the minors to test the hand in real action) could start as early as this week.
7. Target Return: He is eligible to come off the Injured List (IL) on August 7 vs. the New York Mets.

Important Point: What is a "Rehab Assignment"?
Think of it like a "practice test" before the final exam. A Major League player goes down to the Minor Leagues for a few games. It doesn’t count against their team’s roster limit, and it lets them face live pitching and play defense to prove they are 100% ready.

Roster Shuffle: Pirates DFA Hunter Stratton for Camilo Doval

The Headline Move

The Pirates traded for reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees. To make room for him on the 40-man roster (the list of players the team "owns" rights to), they Designated for Assignment (DFA) Hunter Stratton.

Wait, Who is Hunter Stratton?

• A right-handed pitcher originally drafted by Pittsburgh in 2017.
• Traded to the Atlanta Braves in July 2025.
• Traded BACK to Pittsburgh on June 18, 2026 (in the deal for catcher Joey Bart).
• Pitched well in the minors (Triple-A) this year: 8 innings, 0 runs allowed.
• Struggled slightly in the majors this year: 3.1 innings, 2 runs allowed.

Why This Looks Messy (The "Squandered Asset" Concern)

1. Pirates trade Joey Bart (a catcher) to Braves for Hunter Stratton (June 18).
2. Less than two months later (August 1), Pirates trade for Camilo Doval.
3. To add Doval, they cut Stratton (the guy they just got for Bart).
4. Result: If another team claims Stratton off waivers, the Pirates gave up Joey Bart for absolutely nothing in return.

Important Point: What does "DFA" mean?
Designated for Assignment. The team takes the player off the 40-man roster. They have 7 days to either trade him, release him, or put him on "waivers" (where other teams can claim him for a small fee). If he clears waivers, the Pirates can keep him in the minors, but he’s no longer on the 40-man roster.

Catcher Shawn Ross Claimed by the New York Mets

The Quick Story

• Who: Shawn Ross, 26-year-old catcher, 2022 9th-round pick.
• What happened: Pirates called him up -> He played 2 games -> Got his first MLB hit (a Home Run!) -> Pirates DFA’d him -> Mets claimed him off waivers.
• His Skillset: Known for raw power and defensive versatility (played Catcher, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF in minors).
• The Issue: Struggled with contact (striking out too much).
• Now: The Mets get a "lottery ticket"—a guy with big power and positional flexibility who just needs to hit the ball more often.

Summary: What Does This All Mean for the Pirates?

Bottom Line: The Pirates are adding win-now talent (Doval) and getting their superstar back (Cruz), but they burned through assets (Stratton, Ross) quickly to do it. The next few weeks will show if the gamble pays off.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. When exactly will Oneil Cruz play for the Pirates again?

There is no guaranteed date. He starts a Minor League rehab assignment "as early as this week." He usually needs 3–5 rehab games. Since he is eligible August 7, a return around August 7–10 is the realistic best-case scenario.

2. What is the difference between the "IL" and the "40-Man Roster"?

• IL (Injured List): A list for hurt players. They don’t count toward the 26-man active roster (the guys who play daily), but they DO count toward the 40-man roster.
• 40-Man Roster: The master list of players the organization controls. You must be on this to be called up to the Majors. DFA removes a player from this list.

3. Can the Pirates get Hunter Stratton back?

Yes, but it’s risky. Stratton goes on waivers. If all 29 other teams pass on him, he "clears waivers." The Pirates can then outright him to Triple-A Indianapolis. He stays in the org, but off the 40-man roster. If any team claims him, he’s gone forever.

4. Why did the Pirates give up on Shawn Ross so fast after a HR?

It’s a "numbers game." They needed a 40-man spot for Doval. Ross had minor league options remaining (could be sent down without waivers), but the Pirates likely felt his contact issues meant he wouldn’t stick as a backup catcher long-term. They tried to sneak him through waivers to the minors; the Mets blocked it by claiming him.

5. Who is Camilo Doval and is he good?

Camilo Doval is a hard-throwing righty reliever (closes games). He was an All-Star in 2023 with the Giants (39 saves). He struggled in 2024/2025, got traded to Yankees, then to Pirates. High upside, high volatility. The Pirates are betting on a bounce-back.

Go Bucs! Stay tuned for the next update.