The Latest Breaking News from Oneil Cruz

Jason Kendall was hitting with his son, Kuyper, on Sunday afternoon when he learned of Oneil Cruz's left ankle injury, suffered in the sixth inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park.

The dream of a 30-30 or 40-40 season for Oneil Cruz isn't likely to become reality, unless he rejoins the Pirates later this season and goes on some sort of Mario Lemieux-level tear.

PITTSBURGH — Johan Oviedo was absolutely dominant for large chunks of Sunday’s series-deciding game against the Chicago White Sox, yet his performance isn’t the biggest talking point from this one. The same for the Pirates taking a second consecutive series during a better-than-anticipated start to the season.

That explains why benches cleared.

PITTSBURGH — Vince Velasquez had an early opportunity to show his former team why he’s deserving of a rotating spot. The brain trust of his previous employer, the Chicago White Sox, likely didn’t feel it had let one get away Saturday night.

BOSTON — Mitch Keller doesn’t wear sleeves when completing household chores. On a chilly day in Boston, Keller flashed some forearms and incredible stuff while delivering one of the best starts of his career, helping the Pirates to a series sweep against the Red Sox.

CINCINNATI — The upside of Vince Velasquez, one of two starting pitchers the Pirates added via free agency this winter, can be really good. With multiple breaking balls, as well as a spin-heavy, riding fastball, it’s certainly not weaponry Velasquez lacks. For the large part of his career, however, it’s…

CINCINNATI — The magic that marked the Pirates’ opening day victory against the Reds did not return. There were no dashes around the basepaths, no crucial, late-inning plays. In fact, the flicker of offense that existed at the beginning of this one didn’t last long at all.

CINCINNATI — If the Pirates are going to achieve their big-picture goal this season — essentially to play a better brand of baseball and start winning games — the recipe they deployed on opening day in Cincinnati is a keeper.