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Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Cruz has shut down his running progression due to soreness in his surgically repaired left ankle, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Cruz began a running program a couple weeks ago, but his ankle hasn't responded as hoped and his rehab has "plateaued," according to Tomczyk. As for whether the talented young shortstop could still return before the end of the season, Tomczyk said cryptically that "we are running out of days." The snag that Cruz has hit in his rehab certainly isn't a positive development, and with no reason to push him to return this season, the Pirates may proceed slowly with the 24-year-old as they prepare him to be ready for spring training.

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