Pirates' Gregory Polanco tests positive for coronavirus, may play Opening Day

On Friday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that outfielder Gregory Polanco hasn't practiced since Monday because he tested positive for the coronavirus.

Per an agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association, the 28-year-old had to give the club permission to release his test result.

According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton praised Polanco's handling of the situation: 

"He protected his teammates because he put himself in a conversation where he let us know through the protocols and the testing. He was not around anybody else. And because of that, with getting a test and finding out that that he was positive, I think it speaks to the testament of everything that we've talked about of how good a teammate he is."

Polanco remains unavailable until he can produce two negative coronavirus tests a day apart from each other and receive clearance from a team physician. The Pirates open the campaign versus the St. Louis Cardinals on July 24, but Pittsburgh hasn't yet added Polanco to its COVID-19 injured list. This suggests Shelton believes the right fielder could be cleared to play by next Friday. 

As Adam Berry of MLB.com wrote, Polanco missed more than 100 games last season due to lingering shoulder issues stemming from an injury he suffered in September 2018. 

Meanwhile, Pirates closer Keone Kela is on the injured list for an undisclosed reason.