The starting lineup for the Pittsburgh Pirates took a major hit with the announcement that Gregory Polanco tested positive for covid-19, which threatens to force the right fielder to miss the start of the season.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton confirmed the test positive on Friday afternoon after receiving Polanco’s consent to go public. Polanco had missed the last three days of practice at PNC Park for undisclosed reasons.
Shelton described Polanco as “good” and “optimistic”, despite being sidelined. Polanco is the third Pirates player to give his public consent for a positive test of covid-19 to be revealed, joining outfielder Socrates Brito and relief pitcher Blake Cederlind. Two other Pirates players, closer Keone Kela and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, have not practiced for undisclosed reasons since training camp began July 3 at PNC Park.
Shelton and starting pitcher Joe Musgrove both said Polanco deserves credit for being frank with the main office and coaching staff and staying away from his teammates to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“The protocol worked,” Shelton said. “I can’t talk enough about how Gregory did it, that he protected his teammates because he got into a conversation where he let us know through protocol, through testing.
“He was not around anyone else and so when he was tested and found out to be positive, I think he speaks to the testimony of everything we’ve talked about from the beginning, how good a teammate is.” . ”
Musgrove said Polanco withdrew from a workout despite not feeling sick or showing symptoms.
“He said his throat was a little scratchy but, on any other day, he would normally come to the park and be fine,” Musgrove said. “But he was very cautious and smart, and he decided to withdraw from training, and he ended up saving quite a few people from wasting time.”
Musgrove said he texted Polanco on Friday morning, thanking him for being proactive and protecting his teammates.
“I just said it sucks that you’re out, man, but we really appreciate that you’re honest and that you step up and say something, not just come in and try to resist,” Musgrove said.
Polanco must test negative for covid-19 twice (tests are administered to MLB players every other day) and pass an EKG and physical exam before he can be cleared to return. The Pirates play a three-game exhibition series against Cleveland, starting Saturday at PNC Park, before opening the season in St. Louis next Friday.
If Polanco isn’t ready for the start of the season, Shelton said Guillermo Heredia is the likely replacement in right field. The Pirates brought just five outfielders to training camp, and Brito missed the first week after testing positive. They could call a player from their alternate training site in Altoona, where they have three outfielders: Jason Martin, Jared Oliva, and Travis Swaggerty.
Shelton said he and general manager Ben Cherington planned to meet on Friday afternoon to discuss whether to put Polanco on the 10-day injured list.
“From there, we would have to talk about it,” Shelton said. “We’ve had different guys we run into, different guys in the garden to work with, but we really don’t want to make that assumption until we get to the day before in San Luis and know what our roster will look like.”
Kevin Gorman is a writer for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Kevin by email at [email protected] or by Twitter.
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