After Ben Cherington signaled earlier in the week that he was optimistic Oneil Cruz would play winter ball, the Gigantes del Cibao announced that Cruz was present in their training session Saturday.
This is a very encouraging sign for Cruz’s future in baseball, and for him to report to spring training in 2021, like Cherington believes.
Cruz was in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic in September that killed three on a motorcycle. While there were initial reports that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, he faced no such charges at the hearing.
Cherington and the Pirates have stood by Cruz during the legal process.
“There’s not a single piece of evidence from what we’ve seen is that this is anything but an accident,” Cherington said shortly after the regular season ended in September.
The Gigantes started playing games earlier this week.
Cruz is currently ranked as the Pirates’ third-best prospect and 53rd overall, per Baseball America.
Gregory Polanco is also playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic this year with the Leone del Escogido. Michael Feliz, Erik Gonzalez and Richard Rodriguez have also explored the possibility of playing winter ball.
Turgeon out as Curve manager
The Pirates will need to find their third manager for their AA affiliate Altoona Curve in as many years, as Dave Turgeon is no longer with the organization, a source tells DK Pittsburgh Sports.
Turgeon spent 10 seasons with the Pirates, but was let go before he could manage a game with the Curve. He was brought in to replace Michael Ryan after he was let go in September 2019.
The Pirates parted ways with assistant pitching coordinator and Curve pitching coach Tom Filer earlier, so there will be significant turnover in the Altoona coaching staff for the second offseason in a row.
Burdi to Indianapolis
After designating him for assignment earlier in the week, right-hander Nick Burdi has cleared waivers and was outrighted to the class AAA Indianapolis Indians.
The Pirates would like to keep Burdi in the minors as he rehabs from his second Tommy John surgery, though he does have the option to elect free agency and move his rehab to another team.
Burdi clearing waivers also signals that he had finally shed the Rule 5 pick label that he had carried since December 2017.
If the Pirates retain Burdi, they would still have him for three years of team control, not counting 2021.
Burdi allowed one run over 2 1/3 innings in 2020. He has struck out 23 in his 12 1/3 innings in the majors, all of them with the Pirates.
Neverauskas released
In an expected move, Dovydas Neverauskas has officially been released by the Pirates after being designated for assignment Sunday.
Cherinngton told reporters that he and an Asian ballclub had “mutual interest,” though he did not specify which team or league.
It’s not uncommon for struggling players to go to the Korean KBO or Japanese NPB and then return to the states after a few years. Perhaps Neverauskas will do the same down the road, assuming he pitches well for his new team.