The Pirates made a series of roster moves before Tuesday’s contest against the Braves, placing Gregory Polanco on the 10-day injured list and Phillip Evans on the seven-day concussion injured list.
In their place, infielders Cole Tucker and Rodolfo Castro were recalled from the minors.
Polanco had not started a game since June 29 due to what was originally called hip inflammation, but is officially a bilateral adductor strain. While he did appear as a pinch-hitter four times since then, including in Monday night’s win over the Braves, he had trouble running, prompting the move.
“I think if you were at the game last night, the ball that was hit, he was scuffling to move,” Derek Shelton said. “We just felt it was better to get him out and get him healthy.”
Evans’ injury happened in the third inning Monday, when he collided with Braves third baseman Austin Riley on a head-first slide. He was lifted in the ninth inning to go through the concussion protocols.
In their place, Tucker and Castro will make their second trip to Pittsburgh this year.
That’s particularly interesting for Castro, who has yet to play a game in Class AAA in his career. He was briefly recalled from the alternate training site on April 26 and spent four days with the Pirates, going hitless in his three at-bats.
He was optioned down to Altoona after that cup of coffee and tore up Class AA pitching, slashing .306/.349/.549, with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs over 49 games played.
Castro impressed at the alternate site last year, prompting the Pirates to add him to the 40-man roster this offseason. He primarily plays second and third, but Shelton said he could play shortstop in a pinch.
Tucker hit .133 over 16 plate appearances in his first stint with the Pirates from late May to early June. He slashed .214/.333/.357, with two home runs, over 132 plate appearances with Indianapolis.
Tucker has only played shortstop with Indianapolis, but with the outfield depth taking a hit, Shelton said Tucker could appear in the outfield again out of necessity.
Jared Oliva will start in right and John Nogowski at first Tuesday in place of Polanco and Evans.
