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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz was criticized for his early-season defensive efforts as the team lost two of its first three games to start the 2026 season.
On Sunday, Cruz heard it from Pirates broadcasters Greg Brown and Matt Capps. In a 1-1 game against the New York Mets in the bottom of the second inning, Cruz caught a fly ball for the second out of the inning as base runner Brett Baty was considering a run to second.
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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) catches a pop fly from New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (not pictured) during the second inning at Citi Field on March 29, 2026. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Capps and Brown were not pleased with Cruz’s efforts.
“You want to see a little more enthusiasm for handing the ball over,” Capps said.
“A little nonchalant on Cruz’s part,” Brown added.
Cruz finished the game 1 for 4 with a run scored as the Pirates beat the Mets 4-3 in 10 innings. But through three games, Cruz has already been a source of consternation for Pirates fans.
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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielders Oneil Cruz, left, Jake Mangum, center, and Billy Cook celebrate after a baseball game against the New York Mets, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
He made a poor defensive play in the first game of the season with Paul Skenes on the mound. Skenes was dealing with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning Thursday when Baty hit a ball over Cruz’s head.
Cruz started to advance before realizing the ball was going to go over his head. This put more points on the board and Skenes failed to go first.
He was benched for the second game of the season and was only used in a pinch role.
“Just the sun was right in my face,” he told reporters of the opening day mistake, via SNY. “You don’t want these things to happen, but it was really uncomfortable today having the sun right in my face. I did my best, but it was a little difficult.”
Oneil Cruz (15) of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs to first for a single during the first inning of a home-opening baseball game against the New York Mets, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
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Pittsburgh is 1-2 to start the year.
