It's was just another average day for the Pirates ahead of Tuesday's game with the Reds. And, of course, that means a flurry of last-minute roster decisions and injury announcements.
Gregory Polanco was activated from the 10-day injured list just seven days after he was shut down. This basically confirms that his absence was related to COVID-19 or exposure purposes. In order to free up his spot on the active roster, Hunter Owen was designated for assignment.
Polanco is not in the starting lineup Tuesday. He was batting .200/.289/.350 with three homers and five RBIs in his first 80 at-bats before hitting the injured list.
Additionally, Kyle Crick was placed on the 10-day IL with a triceps strain. Crick had brought a spotless ERA into his previous outing against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday, but he was lifted after recording just one out and was charged with a pair of runs. The 28-year-old righty has a 1.59 ERA in 11 1/3 innings this season.
With Owen coming off of the 40-man roster, the Pirates were able to add left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve, who will also take Crick's spot on the active roster and will be available Tuesday against the Reds. Shreve allowed just one hit through his first two scoreless innings for Class AAA Indianapolis in their first week of the season.
The 30-year-old southpaw allowed four runs in 9 1/3 innings this spring for the Bucs. The well-traveled Shreve has pitched in parts of seven seasons with the Braves, Yankees, Cardinals and Mets. Shreve gives the Pirates a second lefty option to Sam Howard, who has already appeared in 16 of the 34 contests the Pirates have played this season.
Owen was hitless with three strikeouts in four at-bats during his brief stint in the majors.
MORE FROM PREGAME
• According to an announcement by Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf on Tuesday afternoon, maximum capacity limits for outdoor events will increase to 75 percent by Monday, May 17. Despite this announcement, the Pirates will stick with their 25 percent capacity restrictions until June because of the month-to-month ticket-sale cycle. From there, they will work toward “a safe and significant” increase in capacity at PNC Park.
