Bryan De La Cruz was arguably the crown jewel of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2024 trade deadline haul.
A day after acquiring the 27-year-old outfielder from the Miami Marlins, he joined the Pirates in Houston ahead of their Wednesday night series finale against the Astros.
De La Cruz, wearing No. 41, was activated to the major-league roster.
In 105 games with the Marlins this season, De La Cruz hit .245 with 18 homers and 51 RBIs.
De La Cruz’s home run total is tied with Bryan Reynolds for the Pirates’ team lead, and his RBIs rank third.
Additionally, the Pirates placed outfielder Joshua Palacios on the 10-day injured list because of a left hamstring strain. Palacios was removed from Monday’s game against the Astros with discomfort in his left hamstring.
Called up by the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis on July 4, Palacios is hitting .230 with a pair of homers and seven RBIs in 20 big-league games.
Notes: Per Alex Stumpf of MLB.com, utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, whom the Pirates acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, has also joined the club in Houston. The Pirates sent outfielder Billy McKinney, placed on the MLB taxi squad Monday, back to Triple-A.
