Oneil Cruz began his minor league rehab assignment Saturday at Double-A Altoona, meaning good news for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they hope to get their star slugger back from the 7-day concussion injured list in due time.
Cruz has not appeared in a game for Pittsburgh since Aug. 12, when he collided with teammate Jack Suwinski in the outfield. There had been no update on his recovery status since Aug. 17, when general manager Ben Cherington said on his weekly radio show that Cruz had been doing on-field plyometrics and taking swings in the batting cage, but was not yet ready for a full return.