The Pirates announced that they have reinstated outfielder Gregory Polanco from the injured list, selected left-hander Chasen Shreve and designated outfielder Hunter Owen for assignment. They also placed righty Kyle Crick on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 1, with a triceps strain.
Polanco went on the COVID-related IL on May 4, and it was revealed a few days later that his placement came as a result of a violation of MLB’s health and safety protocols. Now that Polanco’s back, he’ll try to rebound from a subpar 90-plate appearance stretch in which he hit .200/.289/.350 with three home runs and four stolen bases.
Shreve, 30, joined the Pirates on a minor league contract last offseason after appearing in the majors in each year from 2014-20. The former Brave, Yankee, Cardinal and Met has thrown 228 2/3 innings with a respectable 3.74 ERA/3.70 SIERA and a 27.1 percent strikeout rate against an 11.5 percent walk rate. Along the way, Shreve has produced almost equal results against right-handed hitters (.228/.328/.422) and lefties (.227/.315/.434).
The Pirates selected Owen when they put Polanco on the IL, but he only totaled five plate appearances before his designation. The former 25th-round pick (2016) owns a .266/.341/.473 line with 55 home runs in 1,425 minor league plate appearances.
FletcherFan66
NO FLIPPING WAY CHASEN MF SHREVE IS CALLED CALLED UP?!?!?!?!?
baseballpun
“Pirates Rearrange Deck Chairs”
bucsfan
This makes me laugh more than it should
everlastingdave
Most of us had this thought upon seeing the headline. Well done.
leefieux
Yawn….good ol’ Polanco.
rowbradfo
Where’s Cole Tucker?
bigdaddyk
Him and Swaggerty are chilling in Indy once Adam Frazier is traded he will be the everyday ss
3Rivers
He better hit a lot better if you think he’s going to be handed the SS job
jtkuch
I mean, it’s not like Newman or Egon are exactly tearing the cover off the ball either
bucsfan
Wherever Vanessa Hudgens is I’d guess
3Rivers
She’s not going to stick with a failed former first round pick and minor leaguer for much longer imo
Mendoza Line 215
Polanco is actually better than last year but that is not saying much.
If they have one or two outfielders in the minors who can actually play decently they should just release Polanco and cut the cord.
YourDreamGM
Polanco can still hit and unfortunately they don’t have anyone to call up. Maybe Swaggerty Oliva later this summer.
Tigers3232
If he can still hit is it just that he chooses not to?
Cosmo2
Can he still hit? Hasn’t had an OPS+ of over 88 in 3 years. That’s pretty bad.
3Rivers
He’s biding his time… Waiting for the perfect time to turn the hit switch ON.
YourDreamGM
Check vs rhp
bucsfan
This entire year is (or should be) about getting young guys experience and seeing if you can cash in on any lottery tickets. Keep cycling through the DFA wire and see what sticks.
TJECK109
Yeah I agree as long as the young guys are ready to play every day in the majors. I don’t want to call them up just to be dominated by major league talent
Mendoza Line 215
I agree TJ.It only serves to ruin any confidence that they might have bringing them up for any extended stay if they are just AAA players at that point in their careers.
3Rivers
True and I think that’s what they are doing for the most part.
Monkey’s Uncle
I was a bit surprised that Shreve didn’t make the club to start the season, but bullpen hasn’t been among the biggest (of many) issues the Pirates have had so far. If Owen clears waivers he can join Alford and Fowler in AAA to form an all-DFA’d outfield trio.
nentwigs
Without Kyle available to pitch, the Pirates will be “Up the CRICK” !!