Pirates say it's 'likely' Gregory Polanco could take at-bats in spring game

The chances of Pittsburgh Pirates rightfielder Gregory Polanco making an appearance in a game this spring is looking “more and more likely,” team director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday.

Polanco is recovering from surgery after injuring his left (throwing) shoulder in an awkward slide last September.

Adam Berry of MLB.com tweeted that Tomczyk said the plan is for Polanco to get some at-bats in a game before camp breaks but whether that’s in a Grapefruit League game, a “B” game or a minor-league game has yet to be determined.

Polanco won't play defense in games this spring, but Tomczyk said it's looking "more and more likely" that he'll get at-bats in some kind of game before camp breaks. Still unclear if it'll be a Grapefruit League game, a "B" game or a Minor League game.

— Adam Berry (@adamdberry) March 6, 2019

Polanco won’t play in the field but instead get game-like reps in right field within the next week.

“We don’t have a timeline,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said during the ESPN broadcast of the Pirates-Red Sox game. “He’s doing everything but throwing competitively. … But Gregory is looking very, very good, very, very strong and plans on getting things done once he does get back. “

Berry also reported that Tomczyk said that catcher Elias Diaz, who has been out for two weeks with a virus, will be examined by doctors; rightfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who left Saturday’s game with lower body tightness, has resumed baseball activities; and closer Felipe Vazquez, who was scratched from Tuesday’s game with an upper respiratory infection, is expected to return soon.

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