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Cruz

Cruz doubled in his first at-bat of the three-game series and homered in the last. In between those two events, he was 0-for-11 with six strikeouts. That the strikeouts have really piled up here the last few weeks is kind of scary — he’s fanned 33 times in 18 games — but he does have four homers in his last six games.

Cruz’s home run was a 432-foot moonshot that left the bat at 122.9 mph, making it the hardest hit ball recorded in the Statcast era. Cruz also struck out three times in the game, which makes today’s game a perfect encapsulation of his abilities and risks. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a solid series against the Brewers and has three home runs in his last three games after missing time last week with a back injury.

Cruz’s homers were projected to 442 and 427 feet, with the former leaving his bat at a whopping 117.9 mph. The second homer tied the game off Abner Uribe in the bottom of the ninth. The Pirates went on to win in 10, but not before a little controversy, as Alexander Canario was called out at home plate for the second out of the inning, apparently because he went a little too far past the plate while (successfully) trying to avoid a tag. It proved moot when the Pirates scored anyway on a wild pitch.

Cruz takes a seat for Monday’s series opener after going 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts in a pair of contests over the weekend following a five-game absence due to lower back tightness. It’ll be rookie Alexander Canario patrolling center field in his place during Monday’s game.

It doesn’t come as a total surprise to see Cruz looking a bit rusty following a five-game absence due to lower back tightness. The electrifying 26-year-old talent may need a couple games to get back up to full speed, but there’s zero reason for fantasy managers to be concerned unless the back issues resurface.

Cruz is back after missing five straight games for the Pirates due to lower back tightness. The 26-year-old offers some of the best power/speed potential in the sport, and he should be inserted back into starting lineups immediately.

Cruz remains out of the lineup for the fourth consecutive game due to lower back tightness. There’s been zero indication that he’s headed to the injured list, but it seems like a realistic outcome at this juncture. The 26-year-old fantasy star has eight homers and 16 steals this season through 37 games. It’ll be Ji Hwan Bae in center field on Wednesday night at Citi Field.

It’s time for fantasy managers to increase their level of concern with Cruz absent from Pittsburgh’s lineup for the third straight game due to lower back tightness. The 26-year-old power/speed combo outfielder has launched eight homers and stolen 16 bases this season through 37 games. He remains day-to-day for now. It’ll be Ji Hwan Bae patrolling center field on Tuesday night in his place.

Cruz will miss his second consecutive game following an early exit from Saturday’s game with lower back tightness. It doesn’t sound like a significant concern, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should continue to monitor. The 26-year-old fantasy star leads the majors with 16 stolen bases in 37 games this season. It’ll be rookie Alexander Canario patrolling center field on Monday night at Citi Field.

Cruz will sit out Sunday’s series finale following a precautionary exit from the 11th inning of Saturday’s extra-inning showdown at PNC Park due to lower-back tightness. The 26-year-old spark plug figures to rejoin Pittsburgh’s lineup when they kick off a three-game series on Monday against the Mets at Citi Field. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be Alexander Canario taking over in center field with Tommy Pham back in the lineup following a two-game absence due to illness.