Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Pirates' Polanco back from IL, set for '19 debut

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Monday, 22 April 2019 14:17

PITTSBURGH -- Gregory Polanco couldn't get the awkward slide into second base last September that dislocated his left shoulder out of his head. The Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder pored over the video during his lengthy rehab to the point where it simply got to be too much.

"It was terrible," Polanco said. "I watch it a lot of times and it was not a good feeling to watch it, so I stopped."

He focused on the long road back, one that reached a significant milestone on Monday when the Pirates activated the 27-year-old off the injured list and put him in the lineup in time for the opener of a four-game series with Arizona.

Polanco was legging out a double against the Miami Marlins on Sept. 7 when he tried an unorthodox slide to avoid a tag. He appeared to leap in the air before extending his left leg toward the bag, tumbling forward and starting a sequence that ended with his left shoulder dislocated and the labrum in his throwing shoulder torn. He had surgery on Sept. 12, ending a season in which he hit a career-high 23 home runs.

Pittsburgh estimated Polanco could be out up to nine months. He made it back in a little over seven, a testament to the way he pushed himself even while spending time back home over the winter in his native Dominican Republic.

"They ask me to do extra, I do extra," Polanco said Monday. "My homework too. Back home they would ask me to do exercises, and I did it."

Polanco joins a club off to a 12-7 start despite having a lengthy injury list that includes outfielders Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson and Lonnie Chisenhall. Polanco hit .300 with five RBIs and two stolen bases during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis. He has also worked extensively on his sliding, a portion of his game that he struggled with before getting hurt.

"Unfortunately the collateral damage that he incurred from a poor sliding technique, I think that got his attention," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "And sometimes pain can bring specific attention to an immediate area, and I think in this case it was sliding. He worked very hard to tighten that up and get that in a better place."

Polanco will be prohibited from sliding headfirst and he still isn't near 100 percent arm strength, though Hurdle noted Polanco's velocity is up significantly from the end of spring training. Pittsburgh will try to help Polanco by pushing cutoff men farther into the outfield.

Though Polanco pledged to stay aggressive both on the field and on the bases, he will also do what he can to avoid another mishap like the one that led to the first significant injury of his career.

"When you make mistakes like that, it costs you," he said. "It cost me a lot of games for me and you know, maybe my arm wouldn't be the same this year. I'm here. I'm happy that I'm back here and I'm able to join the team and enjoy it with my guys."

To make room for Polanco, the Pirates optioned left-handed reliever Steven Brault to Triple-A.

Read 2305 times

Soccer

MLS investigating discrimination in Vancouver win

MLS investigating discrimination in Vancouver win

EmailPrintMLS announced it is aware of a reported violation of the league's Non-Discrimination Polic...

Source: Ancelotti, Pérez to hold Madrid exit talks

Source: Ancelotti, Pérez to hold Madrid exit talks

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti will meet with Real Madrid president Florentino Pér...

Arsenal comeback over Lyon 'unexplainable' - boss

Arsenal comeback over Lyon 'unexplainable' - boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsArsenal reached their first Women's Champions League final in 18 ye...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Tatum again leads C's, features wrist in celebration

Tatum again leads C's, features wrist in celebration

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- Jayson Tatum sat on the court, grimaced and grabbe...

Ant zooms past 'gassed' Lakers to take 3-1 lead

Ant zooms past 'gassed' Lakers to take 3-1 lead

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMINNEAPOLIS -- With Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick keeping the...

Baseball

Giants' Ramos walks it off with little league HR

Giants' Ramos walks it off with little league HR

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Heliot Ramos thought he'd just leg out an infield...

Fan ejected after taunting Red Sox OF Duran

Fan ejected after taunting Red Sox OF Duran

EmailPrintCLEVELAND -- Jarren Duran has found plenty of support from his Boston Red Sox teammates an...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated