WASHINGTON -- Gregory Polanco will continue his rehabilitation from shoulder and knee injuries in Class AAA Indianapolis starting Saturday.
And given the starting lineup the Pirates put on the field Friday night against the Nationals, the power-hitting right fielder can't get back to the majors too soon.
With Clint Hurdle wanting to get veteran Melky Cabrera a day off after making five consecutive starts, light-hitting Pablo Reyes was in the Pirates' starting lineup in left field and batting fifth against the Nationals. JB Shuck was in right, while Starling Marte was in his usual spot in center field.
Hurdle expects Cabrera to be back in the outfield on Saturday.
"He's got good matchups the next two days," Hurdle said. "We want Melky to play all season long. He continues to remind us he's in good shape and ready to go. We want to keep it that way."
Cabrera, who made the Pirates' roster coming out of spring training after signing a minor league contract with the team, has been a bright spot for the team thus far as it deals with injuries to Polanco, Corey Dickerson and Lonnie Chisenhall. The 34-year-old is six for his last 12, and 12-for-32 this season.
Polanco suffered severe knee and shoulder injuries while sliding into second base last September, but is on schedule to return perhaps sometime later this month. He just completed a rehab assignment with Class A Bradenton, where he was 2-for-13 with four walks in four games.
"He's playing. He's showing up. He's doing the work," Hurdle said. "He's gotten a lot of outfield activity. He's been on the bases a little bit. He just continues to make some incremental progress."
Polanco, 27, hit 23 home runs and drove in 81 last season in 130 games.
