PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates take on the reigning World Series Champions to start their homestand, but now won't have one of their best hitters in the lineup.The Pirates announced that they scratched center fielder Oneil Cruz from the lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the series opener at PNC Park on June 9. The Pirates now have Jake Mangum starting in center field, who bats seventh, and first baseman Davis Wendzel moves up to sixth in the batting order.Cruz didn't start in the 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves in the series finale at Truist Park on June 7, but did come in as a pinch-runner in the top of the ninth inning.Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show that Cruz hurt his hand sliding into home plate in the 6-3 loss to the Braves on June 6.Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates senior director of sports medicine, said in his recent injury report on June 9 ahead of the game that Cruz's hand wouldn't stop him from starting, but that there's always concerns with someone of his stature playing every day in the outfield. “There’s a lot of different things going on with a lot of our players, especially when dealing with a 6-7 outfielder that plays every day. The hand is at the foremost right now but that is very good – good enough for him to be in the starting lineup tonight. Just in general, lower extremity tightness, if you must.The Pirates will hope to have Cruz back soon and this is just a slight blip, as he's been one of the team's best hitters in 2026. Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow