Polanco went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Brewers, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right fielder, who sat out Tuesday's tilt, played in just his second game since coming back from COVID-19 and admitted his timing at the plate is off. "I feel good," Polanco said. "I feel healthy. But the timing is tough. The only way you get better for your timing is by playing, taking at-bats." Depending on how he feels Thursday, manager Derek Shelton said the 28-year-old will either DH or play right field Friday against the Cubs.

Polanco isn't in the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Polanco made his return from the COVID-19 injured list Monday and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in his first game back, but he'll be held out Tuesday. Cole Tucker is starting in right field, batting eighth.

Polanco (illness) was activated off the COVID-19 injured list Monday and will start at designated hitter against the Brewers, batting seventh.

EDGE Analysis

Polanco tested positive for COVID-19 at the end of camp, but he was cleared to return to workouts Saturday and will return to game action Monday. It's unclear whether the team will limit his workload in the coming days, but it's encouraging to see him back in the starting nine as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old battled injuries last season and only appeared in 42 games for the Pirates, slashing .242/.301/.425 with six home runs and 17 RBI.

Polanco (illness) has been cleared to resume workouts and hopes to return to game action next week, Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Polanco missed the tail end of camp after testing positive for COVID-19, but he cleared MLB protocol and is working out with the team ahead of his return to the field. Prior to the COVID-19 diagnosis, Polanco was receiving positive reviews regarding his batting and fielding during camp. The 28-year-old has battled injuries in the past, so the team could manage his workload once he's ready to return to the field.

The Pirates placed Polanco (illness) on the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Polanco missed a few workouts last week, reports surfaced that the outfielder tested positive for COVID-19. The outfielder's move to the IL and continued absence from camp suggests that he won't be ready to play when the Pirates begin their season Friday in St. Louis, leaving Jose Osuna and Guillermo Heredia as his most likely replacements in right field. Though Polanco is technically eligible to return from the COVID-19 IL in less than 10 days, he must first pass two tests for the coronavirus conducted at least 24 hours apart.

Polanco has tested positive for coronavirus, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The positive test explains why Polanco had been absent from practice for the past few days. Given the timing of the test, it seems almost certain that the outfielder will miss at least a few games at the start of the regular season, though it's not yet clear exactly when he's expected back on the field. Guillermo Heredia and Jose Osuna are the top candidates to fill in for him in right field.

Polanco has missed the past two days of workouts for unspecified reasons, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old was previously participating at summer training, but he's now absent and teams are unable to comment on a player's situation without authorization if it's related to COVID-19. Polanco's availability for the start of the season next week figures to be in doubt until he rejoins the team. Guillermo Heredia is likely to operate in right field for the Pirates in the meantime.

Polanco received rave reviews for both his batting and throwing over the weekend from his teammates at PNC Park's summer camp, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

"Homers to all fields, definitely homers in the river, said first baseman Josh Bell, referring to Polanco. "And then right after that, after having not thrown for maybe 40 or 50 minutes, he went right into right field and made a few throws to third, a few throws to second, a few throws to home. That was the best I've seen his arm since surgery." The 28-year-old has shown glimpses of potential during his five MLB seasons but hasn't been able to stay healthy. Perhaps the shorter season will give him a better opportunity to stay on the field.

Polanco is expected to see time at DH in addition to his right field duties, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

After undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last summer, the Pirates may want to limit his playing time in the outfield. Polanco will be expected to produce offensively from the middle of Pittsburgh's lineup. Serving as an occasional DH should help to keep him healthy.

Polanco is off to a strong spring training start, batting .333 with four extra-base hits and a 6:6 BB:K in 18 at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

The right fielder is the last holdover from Pittsburgh's playoff run from 2013 to 2015. He's shown no ill effects from the shoulder surgery which shut down his 2019 campaign. The 28-year-old is expected to bat fifth behind Josh Bell, but manager Derek Shelton has said that everyone could bounce around the order with the exception of Bryan Reynolds, who will bat second.