Pirates Roster Moves: Oneil Cruz Returns, Andrew Heaney DFA’d and More
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a slew of roster moves ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Center fielder Oneil Cruz, who was activated from the 7-day concussion injured list, and reliever Dauri Moreta, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, will join the active roster.
Cruz had been on the IL since Aug. 13 following an outfield collision with Jack Suwinski against the Milwaukee Brewers. Cruz played a pair of rehab games with Double-A Altoona this past weekend.
In 108 games with the Pirates this season, Cruz carries a .207/.304/.398 batting line with 17 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs, 51 RBI and a league-leading 34 stolen bases. He’s played 101 games in center field.
Moreta rejoins the Pirates after going 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA and seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings across five appearances. It was the right-hander’s first stint with the Pirates since undergoing Tommy John surgery in the 2023-24 offseason.
To make room for both players on the roster, the Pirates designated left-handed pitcher Andrew Heaney for assignment and optioned outfielder Ronny Simon to Indianapolis.
The Pirates signed Heaney to a one-year, $5.25 million contract as a free agent this winter. Heaney went 5-10 with a 5.39 ERA in 26 appearances/23 starts on the season.
The 12-year veteran posted a 3.33 ERA through his first 12 starts of the season but went 2-5 with a 9.21 ERA since June 19 and lost his spot in the starting rotation. He allowed five runs out of the bullpen in the Pirates’ 7-6 loss to the Cardinals on Monday.
Simon played seven games for the Pirates and hit .233 with a .517 OPS, one double, two RBI and a stolen bases.
Additionally, right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence and left-handed reliever Tim Mayza had their rehab assignments transferred from Low-A Bradenton to Indianapolis.
There are now 39 players on the Pirates’ 40-man roster.
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