Polanco exits with injuries after awkward slide

PITTSBURGH -- Right fielder Gregory Polanco exited the Pirates' 5-3 win over the Marlins on Friday night at PNC Park during the sixth inning due to left knee and left shoulder discomfort.
Polanco hit a line drive to right-center field and stretched it into a double, but he jumped to begin an awkward slide into second base and injured himself in the process. Polanco's right foot landed first, his left leg bent uncomfortably and he held onto second base with his left hand as he rolled past the bag.
There was no update on Polanco's status after the game. The Pirates hope to have more information before Saturday's 1:05 p.m. ET game against the Marlins.
Polanco favored his left knee as he laid on the ground, calling to the dugout then rolling over for the training staff to evaluate him. He eventually walked off the field with some assistance from head athletic trainer Bryan Housand. Jordan Luplow entered the game to pinch-run for Polanco and wound up hitting the go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh.

"It's definitely tough watching a guy go down and seeing how much pain he was in, but it was cool to see him walk off the field and Luplow get out there and get a chance," first baseman Josh Bell said. "I'm sure Polanco will be all right. Kudos to Luplow for coming in ready and making that impact."
Polanco, who started 50 of the Pirates' last 52 games, has taken pride in his health this season after playing only 108 games last year. It hasn't been a smooth year for the 26-year-old, who's battled through several slumps. But he is nearing the end of his best overall offensive campaign in the Majors, and he has been the Bucs' most productive hitter overall. Polanco is hitting .254/340/.499 with 23 home runs and 81 RBIs in 130 games.