Oneil Cruz Injured at Home Plate; Benches Clear in Aftermath

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz was helped off the field after a collision at home plate with White Sox catcher Seby Zavala.

Cruz’s left leg got caught underneath his body and Cruz was in obvious pain while laying on the ground next to home plate. Cruz slid awkwardly into Zavala as he tried to beat the throw home.

As Cruz lay on the ground injured, a brawl broke out between the Pirates and White Sox. Zavala was animated and appeared to have words with Cruz after the collision. Both benches cleared and the dugouts emptied as the brawl took place around home plate.

🚨FIRST BENCHES CLEARING OF THE YEAR🚨

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— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) April 9, 2023

To this point, the extent of Cruz’s injury is not known, but he was not able to put much weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field by Pirates’ personnel.

So far this season, Cruz has hit .250 with one home run and six RBIs. He has started every game at shortstop for the Pirates through their first nine games.

Ji Hwan Bae entered the game for Cruz at second base and Rodolfo Castro slid from second base to shortstop.