After news broke last week that Gregory Polanco had tested positive for the coronavirus, Pirates manager Derek Shelton told reporters (including MLB.com’s Adam Berry) that the outfielder had been cleared to resume training with the club. According to Polanco’s personal Instagram page, he has already working out at PNC Park in preparation for his 2020 debut.
No specific timeline was given for when Polanco might return, after missing roughly two weeks of training and on-field action. “As soon as we feel or deem his body is ready to come back, then he will be able to come back, assessment-wise,” Shelton said. “We’re going to make sure that he’s in a position where his body is deemed healthy.”
2018 seemed like a breakout campaign for the outfielder, though the shoulder surgery that Polanco underwent late that season ended up being a lingering problem throughout 2019. Polanco played in only 42 games and hit a lackluster .242/.301/.425 over 167 plate appearances.
Assuming he can come back with a healthy shoulder and in anything close to his 2018 form, Polanco will provide a big boost to Pittsburgh’s outfield. Polanco is slated to eventually take over in right field, with he and Bryan Reynolds flanking the center field platoon of Jarrod Dyson and Guillermo Heredia.
I see all the hi-fives and maskless interactions between players, coaches and umpires and know that in 2 weeks this season will be over. The wave of positive tests due to not practicing recommended guidelines will require this. Theses guys in the prime of life for the most part believe they are bullet-proof. Believe the science. The virus doesn’t care what you believe.
Apparently you dont follow science, Captain Know It All. Turn off the damn tv and research.
Research! What a concept! You might want to check into that
Guess we wait and see. Will you be back in two weeks to verify your prediction? Doubt it.
I did, but its obvious on here, who is a headline reader/brainwashed tv watcher. The same person that appears to be incapable of processing and reaching a conclusion that makes sense.
Question: Was Henny Penny your favorite story when you were a kid?
Boy do I feel foolish! I was off by at least a week and a half! Dumbass I am!
Believe the science. Cancel the season. Wear a GD Mask!
They’re getting tested all the time. The Braves lost two catchers simply because they had symptoms, they didn’t even test positive.
If none of them have it, and they’re getting constantly tested, how would they be spreading the virus amongst themselves, again, if none of them have it?
You know you will enjoy life more if you lighten up.
Polanco has all the tools. He just has a plastic grocery bag with a hole in it for a tool box.
Spot on. Every couple of weeks he does something that makes you think he’s never played the game before.
Man those Pirates look awful. I bet a double A team can sweep them in a 4 game series
This Pirates team sucks pretty bad.
I’ve already seen enough of Jarrod Dyson and Guillermo
Heredia.
With this bush league outfield and the fact they can’t score runs, why not just bring up a prospect like Jared Oliva instead of putting in center field a 36 year old (Dyson) whose best years are behind him?
Or at least play Jose Osuna out there in right instead of Heredia.
You know, someone who can actually knock in a run.
What do they have to lose at this point?