Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Oneil Cruz is being brought along slowly in spring training due to an illness he had upon arriving at camp, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Fantasy Impact

Cruz has fully recovered, but the Pirates are proceeding cautiously after his missed workouts earlier in camp. The shortstop has appeared in just one of the team's first four Grapefruit League games, logging a single and a stolen base Tuesday against Atlanta. Expect him to ramp up his workload in the coming days as he prepares for the regular season.

Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 with a home run, one RBI, and two runs scored in the Pirates' 8-3 loss to the Reds.

Fantasy Impact

Despite the team's defeat, Cruz's performance, including his 20th homer of the season, provided a silver lining. His consistent power-hitting, evidenced by reaching the 20-home run mark, continues to make him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups, especially in formats that reward extra-base hits and runs scored. However, his high strikeout rate, remains a concern for batting average stability. Fantasy managers should keep leveraging his power and speed combination, but be wary of the potential drag on batting average.

Oneil Cruz is in the starting lineup for the Pirates Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Cruz will start in center field and bat third against the Cardinals. He is hitting .267, with 19 home runs, 74 RBI, and 22 stolen bases this season.

Oneil Cruz left Sunday's game early with left ankle discomfort.

Fantasy Impact

It appears to be more of a precautious injury for Cruz. He can be considered as day-to-day.

Oneil Cruz went 1-for-5 with an RBI in the Pirates' 5-1 defeat to the Royals.

Fantasy Impact

Despite driving in a run, Cruz's performance was marred by three strikeouts and a lack of extra-base hits, contributing to Pittsburgh's offensive struggles. This game is a microcosm of Cruz's recent struggles at the plate, where his high strikeout rate continues to undermine his overall productivity. While his power numbers and speed are assets, his inability to consistently make contact and get on base is a growing concern for fantasy managers. Moving forward, Cruz remains a high-risk, high-reward option in fantasy lineups, capable of game-changing plays but often at the cost of batting average and on-base percentage.