Polanco's return to DL results in Diaz's return from Indy

MILWAUKEE -- The Pirates placed Gregory Polanco on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, a move that was eminently expected by all concerned.

But the corresponding move might not have been nearly as expected: Elias Diaz was recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis to make for three catchers on the roster. For a while, anyway.

Diaz's presence will allow Francisco Cervelli, who's been troubled by a sore left hand and had to be removed from the game Sunday in Toronto, to take a breather. Clint Hurdle estimated Tuesday afternoon that Cervelli will miss three games, including both in this brief set at Miller Park, in an attempt to avoid taking the mandatory 10 days if he goes on the DL.



"We want to give him a chance to come back," Hurdle said of Cervelli. "It's an injury he needs to play through, but it's not one that he can play through right now."

Chris Stewart was in the lineup for Tuesday, and Hurdle said he's expected to start again in the Wednesday matinee.

"He brings a lot of good things to our team," Hurdle replied when asked why Stewart over Diaz, when Stewart is slashing .181/.230/.234 to Diaz's .266/.306/.380 over the latter's 30 games and 79 at-bats in Pittsburgh. "He's been outstanding behind the plate and the offense ... when he's gotten hits, they've come in bunches."

Polanco was hurt Saturday in Toronto, straining his left hamstring for the third time this season.

"It could have some distance beyond the 10 days," Hurdle said, though he declined to comment on Polanco's self-diagnosis in Toronto that this injury was worse. "It's in the same spot. It’s the third time in this spot, so I think it’s definitely something we need to be more aware of moving forward."

This is Diaz' third call-up to the majors this season. With Indianapolis, he was slashing .266/.298/.339 with two home runs and 27 RBIs, a strikingly similar output to his line in the majors.

I asked Diaz about his latest stint in Indy: