PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates flurry of roster moves continued on Tuesday with a veteran outfielder returning and a reliever pitcher going on the injured list.
Polanco returns
Given the Pirates have been hush on why and MLB rules say they can’t comment when a player is dealing with COVID-19. Let’s assume Gregory Polanco returned to the active roster on Tuesday afternoon because of COVID. Polanco wasn’t deemed ready to start, so Troy Stokes began in right. Polanco struck out as a pinch-hitter.
The 29-year-old Polanco was hitting .200 this season with 3 homers and 5 RBI. He is coming off a career worst .153 average in 50 games in 2020. There are a pair of team options on his contract the next two seasons.
Owen designated
A feel good story for his perseverance in making the majors, the stint for infielder/outfielder Hunter Owen lasted three games. Owen got one start against the Padres on May 5 going 0 for 2 and hit by a pitch. Owen would get two other pinch-hit appearances with a fly out and strikeout.
Owen designated for assignment to make room for Polanco and is the third different outfielder to have that designation through five weeks of the season.
Another reliever move
Right-handed Kyle Crick put on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 10 after he left the game in Chicago giving up a couple of runs in a third of an inning with a walk and a hit batter. It was the first runs allowed by Crick, who has a 1.59 ERA and 0.82 WHIP in 11.1 innings. Crick has a right triceps strain.
The 28-year-old Crick came over in the Andrew McCutchen trade. Is 8-10 in his career with a 3.23 ERA with a pair of saves in 11 opportunities.
Pirates add a second lefty to the bullpen, 30-year-old Chasen Shreve. The veteran signed a minor league contract and nearly made the Pirates out of Spring Training. He was 1-0 with a 3.88 ERA in 10 games in Grapefruit League play with a save and 7 strikeouts to one walk in 8.1 innings.
Shreve was an 11th round pick of the Braves in 2010 and pitched with Atlanta, the Yankees, Cardinals and Mets. This will be Shreve’s eight season in the majors, his best going 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA with the Yankees in 2015 with 10 holds, 64 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. Last season, Shreve was 1-0 with a 3.96 ERA with the Mets in 17 games.