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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has been criticized for his defensive effort early in the season, as the team lost two of its first three games to start the 2026 season.
On Sunday, Cruz heard it from Pirates announcers 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 runner Brett Baty considered advancing to second.
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Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) catches a fly ball from New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (not pictured) during the second inning at Citi Field on March 29, 2026. (Brad Penner/Image Images)
Capps and Brown were not thrilled with Cruz’s effort.
“You want to see a little more enthusiasm to get the ball in,” 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 defeated 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 bad defensive play in the season opener 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 began to move forward before realizing the ball was going to go over his head. He allowed more runs on the board and Skenes failed to get past the first.
He was benched for the second game of the season and was only used as a pinch-hitter.
“The sun was just right in my face,” he told reporters of the opening day mistake, via SNY. “You don’t want those things to happen, but today it was very uncomfortable having the sun right in front of my face. I tried my best, but it was a little difficult.”
Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz (15) runs to first for a single during the first inning of an opening day 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.
