Oneil Cruz returns to Pirates clubhouse, begins rehab on fractured ankle | TribLIVE.com

Oneil Cruz was all smiles Thursday morning as he was transported by motorized cart to the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse at PNC Park, 18 days after fracturing his left ankle while sliding into home plate. The 6-foot-7 shortstop had his staples removed at his two weeks post-surgery visit with team doctors and will begin his rehabilitation with upper-body conditioning weight lifting. “He’s doing really good. He’s in good spirits,” said Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, who added that Cruz won’t be traveling with the team. “We’re excited to get Oneil back into the clubhouse with his teammates.” That wasn’t the only encouraging medical update involving the Pirates, who got some “encouraging” news about their No. 1 prospect and some bad news about one of their top-10 prospects. Triple-A Indianapolis catcher Endy Rodriguez (right forearm strain), ranked No. 1 by MLB Pipeline, has resumed hitting and is expected to return as a designated hitter in the next three to four days, Tomczyk said. Rodriguez has played some light catch and is projected to be back behind the plate in the next week to 10 days. “There’s no issues,” Tomczyk said. “We envision him being available for games as a DH
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