The Pirates merely confirmed on Saturday what most had suspected.
Gregory Polanco will miss the remainder of the regular season after his slide went terribly wrong in the sixth inning of Friday night's game against the Marlins.
According to a statement from the team, Polanco sustained a significant bone bruise to his left knee and a shoulder injury. The bone bruise will require six to eight weeks of rest and rehabilitation.
The team said it's in the process of coordinating a second opinion to help determine Polanco's best course of treatment.
The injury finishes what had been a productive season for Polanco. In 461 at bats this season, he set a career-high with 23 home runs and was five RBIs short of establishing another personal best. Both of those marks are team highs. After hitting .239 before the All-Star break, the 26-year-old was hitting .280, including a .385 clip in his last seven games.
Clint Hurdle says he saw his right fielder progress throughout the season and that this setback can be a teachable moment.
"He made great strides," the manager said. "I really thought the improvement, the maturity he showed throughout the season, being an anchor in the lineup, continued to work on his defense, stealing bases even in the month of September, everything. He was intentional with his work across the board.
"This is another learning opportunity. Didn't like it. The reality is we're going to have to deal with it. He's going to have deal with it. The challenge now is to go through the rehab, to go through the buildback and come back bigger, better and stronger than ever before."
Pablo Reyes started in right field on Saturday for the Pirates, who have 20 games remaining this season. Batting fifth, Reyes went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.