After having only five at bats over the prior eight days, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday because of posterior left shoulder inflammation.

Polanco had surgery on that shoulder nine months ago after he had suffered a dislocation in it during an awkward slide in a game last September. Polanco initially returned early in the projected timetable, making his season debut April 22. And although the shoulder clearly still was hampering his throwing arm defensively, Polanco was excelling initially on offense: he had a .912 OPS over his first 15 games.

But he has slumped badly since (18 hits and 40 strikeouts in his 93 at bats, a .194 average and .605 OPS) and the Pirates were playing Melky Cabrera and Bryan Reynolds in lieu of Polanco most games, particularly since Corey Dickerson returned from the IL on June 8.

Outfielder Jason Martin was recalled to take Polanco’s roster spot.

Polanco’s IL designation was retroactive to June 19; he hasn’t appeared in a game since last Sunday in Miami. That was his only start over the past eight days.

For the season, Polanco is hitting .242/.301/.425 in 153 at bats over 42 games. He is signed through 2021 at salaries of $8 million and $11 million the next two seasons with club options for 2022 and 2023.

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