Sept. 14: The Pirates announced that Polanco’s surgery also repaired a torn labrum — an injury that severely clouds his outlook for the beginning of the 2019 season. Pittsburgh’s press release notes that typical recovery would be in the range of seven to nine months. Even the short end of that time frame would put Polanco on track for a return in mid April, making it likely that he’ll open next season on the disabled list. If he’s closer to nine months, though, Polanco could be out until early summer of next season.
With Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson, Jordan Luplow, Adam Frazier and Jose Osuna all on hand, the Bucs do have some depth in the outfield, though the subtraction of Austin Meadows in July’s Chris Archer swap removed one high-upside candidate from the mix.
Sept. 12: The Pirates announced today that outfielder Gregory Polanco is undergoing left shoulder surgery. He suffered a dislocation upon sliding into second base this past Friday, and a second opinion from Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York confirmed that diagnosis while also recommending surgery to stabilize the shoulder. It was already known that Polanco would be out for the remainder of the season due to a bone bruise in his left knee that will require at least six weeks of rehab, but the news on his shoulder is nonetheless an unwelcome development for the 26-year-old.
Meanwhile, the Bucs delivered some ominous news surrounding the health of right-hander Chad Kuhl, as well. Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets that Kuhl’s scheduled bullpen session was preempted yesterday when he felt renewed forearm/elbow tightness while throwing from flat ground. He’s already been out since late June and is now seeking another opinion.
For Polanco, there’s no indication that today’s surgery will impact his readiness for the 2019 season. Pittsburgh’s announcement indicates that further details on the procedure and an estimated recovery time will provided “at the appropriate time.” Depending on the severity of the damage in his shoulder and the findings of the surgeons during the procedure, there’s a fairly broad range of timetables that could ultimately be projected.
The 2018 season was an uneven one for Polanco, who opened the season with roughly league-average output through the first two months of play before erupting with a .303/.382/.626 slash with 11 homers, nine doubles and four triples through 179 plate appearances in June and July. His production disappeared entirely in August (.666 OPS), though he looked to be back on track in the week leading up to his season-ending injury.
Back in 2016, Polanco signed a five-year, $35MM contract extension that spans the 2017-21 seasons and also includes a pair of club options. He’s owed at least $27.5MM over the next three seasons under that deal — a figure that includes a $3MM buyout on a $12.5MM option for the 2022 season.
As for Kuhl, hasn’t pitched since June 26 due to discomfort in that right forearm/elbow, and today’s setback is hardly an encouraging one for his immediate outlook. The Bucs will hope, of course, that surgery isn’t ultimately recommended, though forearm tightness has been known to be a precursor to ligament damage in the elbow.
Kuhl, who turned 26 years of age yesterday, turned in 85 innings of 4.55 ERA ball with a career-high 8.6 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9 through 16 starts for the Pirates earlier this year. That bottom-line output is roughly in line with his career marks; since debuting for the Pirates in 2016, Kuhl has pitched to a 4.37 ERA through 313 Major League innings (61 starts).
Bummer for both. Polanco because he was playing well in all parts of his game except for,sliding….and hope Kuhl eventually heals and returns to form. He could be a great pen guy with his stuff.
” except for sliding…..”
LOL
You really need to stop posting. …Like yesterday.
And they were both born within days of each other in September! Coincidence!!??
The truth is out there…..
Ancient astronaut theorists suggest…
I had not realized how poorly Polanco had done in August.The outfielder trio fueled the 11 game winning streak,and fell flat during the fall from any sort of contention.
He needs to become more consistent as he has shown that he can be a driving force with this club.
I hope that this surgery goes well and that he can return to full strength.
Regarding Kuhl,the Pirates have lucked out on the injury front for pitchers(knock on wood!).I agree that his future is in the pen.If he can come back next year,and everyone pitches up to their ability,they could have a dominant bullpen if Hurdle learns to use his best pitchers in key situations.That’s a big IF unless someone gets him to change.
Good thing they didnt trade Meadows for an overrated starting pitcher and he can just fill in
Trading Meadows left them with no depth. What were they thinking??
Luplow does not impress.
I did not think that injury looked 7-9 months bad when he awkwardly slid into second base a few days ago. Hoping for a speedy recovery. Maybe The Pirates can pick up someone like Gerardo Para (if his option is declined).
Should the Pirates use one of the their best trade chips (Felipe Vazquez) to acquire some offense this off-season?
No way. With Cutch, Adam Jones, Markakis. Brantley & Pollock all out there in FA, just go after any of them and keep Vazquez.
I agree that they should not trade Vasquez,but the Pirates only very rarely go after free agents.
Cutch-see below
Jones- too old,plus he evidently wants to stay in Baltimore
Markakis-His best year ever,he will not repeat it
Brantley- always hurt
Pollock- will be too expensive
Cutch-see below
On a 1 year deal he works in for sure, he’s going to be hard pressed to get a big deal this offseason. Too much clear decline. He should be decentish next year though.
Jones- too old,plus he evidently wants to stay in Baltimore
Baltimore doesn’t want him. Again, some of these are depth pieces not everyday players.
Markakis-His best year ever,he will not repeat it
Who cares, he provides innings.
Brantley- always hurt
Thus cheap thus high risk high reward aka things all successful teams have
Pollock- will be too expensive
What is the Pirates salary ceiling?
Your rationale may make sense to you,to many other readers,and to most major league teams,but I would be very surprised if the Pirates break precedent and sign any or many free agents.
Regarding a salary ceiling,it has been going down for each of the last several years.My guess is that they will see if Luplow at his low salary can provide the fourth outfielder slot that you are talking about.
Keep in mind that with Polanco,he should be coming back somewhat early in the year.If they sign someone who plays relatively well they will run into the same problem that they had with Austin Meadows when they had four outfielders who deserved to be starting during that brief time period.
I think the Pirates are heading for a last place finish next season. There’s no reason to think the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals won’t be good again, and the Reds are getting better and just need some starting pitching to be at least somewhat competitive next year.
Agree totally. The Archer trade is the type of franchise crippling deal that gets GMs fired, but this being the Pirates, I expect Huntington to get an extension.
The Cubs and Cards will spend money to stay competitive and to a lesser extent, so will the Brewers. I would assume that the Reds will spend money when the time is right. I would be in favor of the Pirates rebuilding, but their development staff has underperformed in recent years and I don’t see that changing as long as the front office stays intact.
Good thing you arent a professional sports commentator or speculator.
The problem with the Reds is that is what they have needed for the last five years.
Reds have been crippled by that Homer Bailey contract and still one more year to go. Pirates still have a good chance to finish ahead of them but are not willing to spend the money to compete with the other three teams.
Guess they could always go and sign Cutch again?
That ship has passed.I think that McCutcheon will be hard pressed to get a multiple year agreement but I do not think that Pirates management wants him back.It would be a big problem once Polanco returns,and McCutcheon has never been an early season hitter.
They will probably hold tight and hope that Polanco is healthy when he returns and that he returns sooner rather than later.
Somewhere in Rays organization one Austin Meadows is laughing very very hard. With evil laugh. Well, sofa experts, enjoy your mediocre Luplow.
Luplow may be mediocre but Meadows still must prove that he is healthy and a ML player so I wouldn’t be too smug just yet.