Oneil Cruz

'Having veterans in my own family, and having spent two years at the Air Force Academy, my mission is now to support these heroes and families,' Skenes, 21, told the Gary Sinise Foundation. In his Pirates debut on Saturday against the Cubs, Skenes struck out seven in front of Dunne - an LSU Gymnastics star and women's leader top NIL deal earner. It's unclear if those strikeouts will contribute to his charitable cause.

After Buccos star Oneil Cruz fractured his left ankle while colliding with Chicago catcher Seby Zavala, the Pirates and White Sox benches were cleared for a near-brawl on Sunday in Pittsburgh. In the sixth inning at Pittsburgh's PNC Park, the 6-foot-7 Cruz, who has made a cult-like figure for his raw talent and athleticism, was on third base. Cruz came home when Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes ran a chopper up the third base line, but so did Yoan Moncada's throw. Cruz slid late in the game, perhaps not expecting the throw to land so quickly, but he collided with Zavala after his left ankle rolled awkwardly.

Major League Baseball returned from 2023 with a variety of highlights, surprises, and spectacular performances from Opening Day. In Pittsburgh's eighth innings, oneil Cruz homered shortly after a pitch clock error helped him and later hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. In the third and fourth, there were two pitch-clock errors made by Reds starter Hunter Greene in the third and Pirates starter Mitch Keller in the fourth. Both at-bats ended with home runs.