Pirates activate Gregory Polanco off injured list

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates activated Gregory Polanco off the 10-day injured list after the right fielder completed a lengthy rehab from a dislocated left shoulder last September that cut short his 2018 season.

Polanco was to bat third for the National League Central leading Pirates on Monday night against Arizona, a welcome jolt for a team dealing with a rash of injuries to the outfield. Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson and Lonnie Chisenhall are all out indefinitely while dealing with injuries.

The 27-year-old Polanco hit a career-high 23 home runs for Pittsburgh in 2018 before his season ended thanks to an awkward slide into second base against Miami on Sept. 7. He underwent surgery on Sept. 12 to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder.

Polanco hit .300 with five RBIs and two stolen bases during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis.

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