Pirates reinstate OF Oneil Cruz, DFA LHP Andrew Heaney

Field Level Media|published: Tue 26th August, 16:42 2025

Aug 1, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) heads home to score a run in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated outfielder Oneil Cruz from the concussion injured list Tuesday, while left-hander Andrew Heaney was designated for assignment.

The Pirates also recalled right-hander Dauri Moreta from Triple-A Indianapolis, while rookie second baseman Ronny Simon was optioned to Triple-A.

Cruz, 26, last played Aug. 12 and is batting .207 this season with a .702 OPS, 18 home runs and 51 RBIs. He has the highest exit velocity in an at-bat this season at 122.9 mph and also leads the National League with 34 stolen bases.

Over 352 career games across parts of five seasons with the Pirates, Cruz is a .237 hitter with 58 home runs and 188 RBIs.

Heaney, 34, went 5-10 with a 5.39 ERA in 26 appearances (23 starts) for the Pirates this season after he agreed to a one-year, $5.25-million contract with the club that included performance incentives.

Over 12 major league seasons with six different clubs, including seven seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Heaney is 56-72 with a 4.55 ERA in 229 appearances (208 starts).

Moreta, 29, had a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings over five relief appearances for Pittsburgh earlier this season. Simon, 25, has batted .234 with seven RBIs in 26 games for the Miami Marlins and Pirates after making his major league debut April 21.

--Field Level Media

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