Pirates' Cruz to speak to Tatis about transfer to CF

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz is planning to achieve out to Fernando Tatis Jr. They’ve loads to speak about.

Cruz stated Tuesday he was dissatisfied when he was advised by the Pittsburgh Pirates that he was shifting from shortstop to heart area. He thought he had performed sufficient this season to remain within the infield.

However the 6-foot-7 Cruz is hoping for a transition just like the considered one of Tatis, one other Dominican Republic native and former shortstop who’s now thought of top-of-the-line proper fielders within the majors.

“Not excellent news, however not unhealthy, on the similar time,” Cruz stated Tuesday by means of an interpreter. “There’s some issues that you may’t management as a participant and that is what the group determined in that second. I am simply going to do my greatest.

“I have not reached out to anyone but. On my record is Fernando Tatis, for certain. He is the closest to me. In some unspecified time in the future, I’ll give him a name simply to ask for recommendation and see how his course of was.”

Tatis was an All-Star shortstop in 2021, however he injured his left shoulder twice that season after which broke his left wrist in a bike accident that December. Each accidents in the end required surgical procedure. He additionally was hit with an 80-game PED suspension in August 2022.

Tatis gained a Gold Glove final yr, and Cruz goals to be equally profitable in heart.

“Each participant that performs each place, you wish to be the very best at your place,” Cruz stated. “If that is the transfer, I will attempt to do my greatest every single day, turn into top-of-the-line.

“I will say it this fashion, I will be taking part in in the course of the diamond, nonetheless, within the outfield. All I’ve to do is erase it from my thoughts that I used to be a shortstop and do my greatest on the market as a middle fielder.”

Cruz had 24 errors in 112 video games at shortstop this season, second most within the majors behind Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz (26). In six video games from July 27 to Aug. 2, Cruz dedicated seven errors, together with three in a 5-4 loss to Houston on July 31.

The 25-year-old Cruz has three in 17 video games since Aug. 3, not sufficient of a lower to keep away from the transfer to heart.

Nonetheless, the transition might take time. Cruz would be the designated hitter for a second straight day Tuesday in opposition to the Chicago Cubs.

Earlier than batting apply, Cruz slowly walked to heart earlier than shagging a number of balls.

“I watched it. It went properly,” Pittsburgh supervisor Derek Shelton stated. “He did an excellent job. He is a very good athlete. Balls off machines, doing reads, doing breaks, he regarded very pure.

“There are going to be bumps within the highway and we perceive that. There are going to be performs which are difficult for all outfielders. The preliminary watching him — breaks, reads, drop step — he was excellent.”

There is no such thing as a set date for Cruz’s outfield debut.

“If you happen to depart it as much as me, I’d play heart area at present as a result of that is what their determination [is] and I wish to begin as quickly as attainable,” Cruz stated.

Precisely what Shelton hoped Cruz would say.

“I really like that he stated that. It is good that he stated that,” Shelton stated. “Simply get him a little bit little bit of reps on the market earlier than we really do it.”

Cruz stated the choice took him abruptly, a particular consider his disappointment. Shelton stated he has already seen a distinction with Cruz with regards to his acceptance of the change.

“There’s a totally different smile on his face at present,” Shelton stated. “Did it take a day? Yeah, most likely. I feel we anticipated that.”