CHICAGO — Gregory Polanco is not with the Pirates and is currently back in Pittsburgh because he violated Major League Baseball's COVID-19 protocols while the team was in San Diego, multiple sources told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Pirates placed Polanco on the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Padres with no designation. Almost always when a player goes on the injured list, a team will offer a reason. The Pirates did not.
"He's on the IL," manager Derek Shelton said. "That's all we got."
Asked again about Polanco's situation, Shelton said he couldn't comment on anything.
"He's on the IL," Shelton said. "That's all I can say."
Players are required to maintain a strict routine on the road. They can only leave their hotel room for, say, a cup of coffee, then they have to immediately return. Only outdoor dining is permitted.
It's not known exactly how Polanco broke protocol, but sources said he utilized a training service that was outside of the Pirates' bubble.
As a result, Polanco is expected to miss 10 days — the minimum length of an IL stint.
Per MLB's health and safety protocols for the 2021 season, players who are found to have violated the code of conduct are subject to potential discipline, although it's unclear if that extends past the time Polanco will already miss.
Polanco is slashing .200/.289/.350 in 24 games, with three home runs, five RBIs and 25 strikeouts in 90 plate appearances.
