The Latest Breaking News from Oneil Cruz

I'm not necessarily saying this would produce winning baseball. But it would be compelling. It would keep us interested in the Pirates as Steelers season approaches.

The Pirates and Rays square off in a big series this week.

Oneil Cruz had surgery on his fractured left ankle at Allegheny General Hospital late Sunday night, the Pirates announced on Monday afternoon. They also projected the 24-year-old shortstop's timeline to return at four months, meaning Cruz won't return until after the All-Star break and well into August.

The Pirates’ Oneil Cruz suffers a fractured ankle on a play that sparked a benches-clearing incident; Sox starter Kopech pitches six innings of one-run ball.

Things got heated in Pittsburgh following a tough play at the plate that left Oneil Cruz injured.

PITTSBURGH — Johan Oviedo was absolutely dominant for large chunks of Sunday’s series-deciding game against the Chicago White Sox, yet his performance isn’t the biggest talking point from this one. The same for the Pirates taking a second consecutive series during a better-than-anticipated start to the season.

That explains why benches cleared.

PITTSBURGH — Vince Velasquez had an early opportunity to show his former team why he’s deserving of a rotating spot. The brain trust of his previous employer, the Chicago White Sox, likely didn’t feel it had let one get away Saturday night.

BOSTON — Mitch Keller doesn’t wear sleeves when completing household chores. On a chilly day in Boston, Keller flashed some forearms and incredible stuff while delivering one of the best starts of his career, helping the Pirates to a series sweep against the Red Sox.