25 Gregory Polanco RF

Polanco went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer Sunday against the Orioles.

He showed no ill effect from the wrist injury that bothered him over the winter. Polanco's home run to left field was encouraging in that the lefty has hit just six of his career 85 homers to the opposite field. The 29-year-old did drop a flyball in right field, but overall he had a positive first game.

Polanco clarified Thursday that he didn't fracture his wrist over the winter, contrary to previous reports, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Polanco did suffered some sort of wrist injury during winter ball, but it wasn't as bad as a fracture. That's a positive sign regarding his readiness for the upcoming season, though his performance questions are just as significant as his health questions. He's hit just .197/.257/.374 over the last two years.

Polanco was named the Pirates' starting right fielder Monday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Polanco was granted a vote of confidence from his manager despite a pair of disastrous seasons which have seen him hit a combined .197/.257/.374 in 92 games. The Pirates don't look set to compete this season, so they can afford to stick with their players through slumps in hopes that they recover some of their original value, but it's hard to envision the team continuing to give Polanco opportunities if he shows no improvements at the start of the campaign.

Polanco is in camp and healthy after fracturing his wrist in the Dominican Winter League, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Polanco suffered the injury in December, though reports at the time suggested he'd be ready for the start of spring training. Full health should certainly help him prepare for the upcoming season, but he has a lot of work to do to climb out of a two-year slump during which he's hit just .197/.257/.374.

Polanco fractured his wrist in the Dominican Winter League but is expected to be ready for baseball activities by the start of spring training, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Polanco was down in his home country trying to sort things out after a pair of frustrating seasons, but the frustration simply continued. He'll head into 2021 having posted a .197/.257/.374 line over the last two campaigns, though it at least sounds as though he'll be able to have a normal spring buildup.

Polanco is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Indians.

Polanco mostly stayed healthy during the abbreviated 60-game season, but like many Pittsburgh regulars, he saw his offensive production take a major step back in 2020. Unless manager Derek Shelton opts to use him off the bench in the season finale, Polanco will conclude the campaign with a .153 average and 37.6 percent strikeout rate, both of which are the worst marks of his career by far.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in a 4-3 loss to the Indians on Friday.

Polanco hit the only long ball of the evening, taking Carlos Carrasco deep to right to give the Pirates a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning. Despite showcasing some power Friday, Polanco has struggled at the plate this season, hitting .158/.220/.336 with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 49 games.

Polanco is not starting Saturday against St. Louis.

Polanco has endured an awful time at the plate this season, hitting .153/.203/.328 in 43 games. Jose Osuna gets an opportunity in right field in his absence.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in a win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

With Pirates starter Steven Brault yielding only one run in a complete-game victory, Polanco produced all the offense the team needed courtesy of a three-run homer in the fourth inning. The long ball was the first since Aug. 30 for Polanco, who entered the contest hitting only .170 with 20 strikeouts in 47 at-bats in September. The 29-year-old has been unable to get it going this season, slashing .146/.199/.331 over 141 plate appearances.

Polanco will be on the bench for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Polanco has gone 2-for-26 at the plate over his last eight games. Cole Tucker starts in right field in his absence, though Polanco could return to the lineup for the nightcap.

Polanco is not starting Friday against the Royals.

Polanco has hit a miserable .149/.205/.336 on the season, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he were to sit more frequently down the stretch. Cole Tucker will be the right fielder Friday.

Polanco went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts against the Reds on Sunday, stranding six baserunners in a 3-2 win.

The outfielder is batting .150 with 46 strikeouts in 110 plate appearances. His all-or-nothing approach has led to five doubles and five homers in 15 overall hits, but a 92.6 mph average exit velocity hasn't meant much without consistent contact. It's certainly possible that offseason surgery and a bout with COVID-19 have limited Polanco's effectiveness.

Polanco isn't in Tuesday's lineup against the Cubs.

Polanco has been in a major skid recently as he's gone just 1-for-26 with a solo home run, one walk and 11 strikeouts over the past eight games. Jose Osuna will take his place in right field Tuesday.

Polanco went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Brewers.

Polanco's solo shot off Brandon Woodruff gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the second inning. The outfielder now has five homers on the campaign but continues to hit at an abysmal .120/.202/.347 clip.

Polanco isn't in Saturday's lineup against the Brewers.

Polanco has gone hitless with one walk and eight strikeouts over his past 17 at-bats, and he'll get a day off Saturday. JT Riddle will take over in right field.

Polanco went 2-for-4 with a single, two-run home run, walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Brewers.

Polanco came to the plate with two outs and the Pirates trailing 4-3 in the eighth and gave Pittsburgh the lead with his two-run shot off David Phelps. It marked the second consecutive game with a home run for the outfielder, who also had a pair of stolen bases and a run scored earlier in the tilt. Polanco is still slashing an ugly .151/.246/.415 but there is optimism that his big series against Milwaukee can get him on the right track.

Polanco went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, a double and a walk during Saturday's 12-5 win over the Brewers.

The 28-year-old entered the day 3-for-36 with 18 strikeouts in August, so Saturday's multi-hit effort was a long time coming. Polanco has a .120/.211/.340 slash line with three homers and 10 RBI through 57 plate appearances.

Polanco is not starting Thursday against the Indians, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Polanco has started the past four games for the Pirates, going just 1-for-14 with a home run and seven strikeouts over that span. Cole Tucker is starting in right field in this one.

Polanco went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a walk in Tuesday's loss to Cleveland.

He has just three hits in 40 at-bats, striking out 21 times in 46 plate appearances. Polanco missed time due to COVID-19 and bruised ribs (more recently). Although he's not seeing the ball well, the team has little outfield depth, giving Polanco more opportunities to work his way out of the season-long slump.

Polanco (ribs) went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk Thursday against the Reds.

Polanco led off the second inning with a solo home run off Anthony DeSclafani, his second long ball of the season. He's struggled to get consistent at-bats early on, first sidelined by COVID-19 prior to missing the Pirates' contest against Detroit on Sunday with a rib injury. The hit was just Polanco's third in 37 plate appearances, and he's hitting .094/.189/.313 in that span.