Gregory Polanco in Pirates lineup Monday; Michael Chavis recalled to play 2nd base

Returning to PNC Park for the start of a seven-game homestand, the Pittsburgh Pirates turned the page toward another chapter in their ongoing rebuilding process. This time, however, there’s a twist.

Gregory Polanco’s still here.

There were multiple reports Sunday night that Polanco, the longest-tenured and highest-paid Pirates player, was put on waivers. The Pirates haven’t confirmed or denied those reports, but manager Derek Shelton dropped a bit of a bombshell Monday when he said Polanco would start in right field for the start of a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He batted sixth in the order.

Teams have until 1 p.m. Tuesday to claim Polanco.

Asked if the Pirates are trying to confuse people by playing a guy who was reportedly waived, Shelton offered no clarity.

“What’s the confusion?” he said. “He’s playing right field.”

How long past Monday is a question Shelton isn’t prepared to answer. Polanco was not available for comment before the game.

But Shelton did write a new name into the lineup Monday. Michael Chavis, acquired at the trade deadline from the Boston Red Sox for relief pitcher Austin Davis, started at second base and batted seventh against the Diamondbacks.

Chavis was a first-round draft choice (26th overall) of the Red Sox in 2014 when Pirates general manager Ben Cherington held the same job in Boston. Two picks before Chavis, the Pirates selected Cole Tucker, who remained in Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Meanwhile, Chavis, 26, is eager to see if reports are true that the Pirates are offering big opportunities to young players.

He’s off to a good start. After the trade, he played every day (17 games) in Triple-A Indianapolis, hitting .246 with five home runs and 12 RBIs while playing first, second and third base and right field.

“It’s absolutely a blessing,” he said of walking into the clubhouse of a rebuilding team. “They brought me over here. I think that means they see me as piece of that rebuilding. I’m not sure where that piece is, where I’ll fit in, but I feel wanted. They brought me here for a reason.”

Added Shelton: “He’s been doing a nice job. Now, it’s just getting him acclimated to the big leagues in Pittsburgh and our culture and our coaching staff.”

Shelton said Chavis will play second base (his favorite position), first base and outfield. Initially, he gets his turn in the Pirates’ quest to replace All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier, traded at the deadline to the San Diego Padres.

It’s no simple task. Rodolfo Castro and Hoy Park, who have played second base since Frazier was traded, were optioned to Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis, respectively, Monday to make room for Chavis and outfielder Anthony Alford, who came off the injured list.

“We’re talking about a guy we replaced who’s a Gold Glove candidate and is leading (MLB) in hits still (146),” Shelton said. “It’s an ongoing thing in terms of trying to find out who best suits the opportunity.”

Chavis said he was initially uneasy when he was traded because Boston is the only organization he has known. But a call from Cherington was an ice-breaker.

Chavis didn’t recognize the number from a Boston area code, but he answered it anyway, thinking it had something to do with the trade.

He didn’t know Cherington was GM of the Pirates, but when he answered the call, he said, “Hey, it’s Ben Cherington of the Pirates. How are you doing? I recognize you.”

Said Chavis: “It was definitely comforting.”

Chavis hit .234 in three seasons (2019-21) with the Red Sox, slugging a total of 25 home runs and driving in 83 runs. He did his most damage in 2019, with 18 homers and 58 RBIs. At the time of the trade, he was hitting .190 in 31 games.

In Indianapolis, he homered in back-to-back games Aug. 6 and 7 and contributed a walk-off homer three days later.

He admits his numbers in Indianapolis represent a small sample size, but he said, “I think I got some pop. I showed a little bit of what I can do. I’m excited to show everything that I can do.

“I was hungry for an opportunity to play. That situation over there in Boston, I just didn’t get a lot of opportunities this year, given the scenario that we had. It’s nothing against them. It’s nothing against myself. It’s just how the situation unfolded.”