Pirates 'very encouraged' by progress of right fielder Gregory Polanco's shoulder

The Pittsburgh Pirates are monitoring the recovery of right fielder Gregory Polanco through social media and are “very encouraged” with the progress of his left shoulder.

Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates’ director of sports medicine, was optimistic about Polanco’s progress in a conference call with Pittsburgh reporters Wednesday afternoon.

Polanco’s 2018 season ended with surgery on his left (throwing) shoulder. The injury bothered him last year, when he was limited to 42 games before being shut down for the season.

“The performance team is keeping FaceTime/Skype/Zoom type of measurements on the shoulder,” Tomczyk said. “On Instagram, he was pulling a bunch of bricks and throwing a bunch of rocks the other day, so our conjecture and our belief is that the shoulder is strong.

“We are watching video of him throwing both short and distances that stretch it out that the outfielder needs to do. We’re very encouraged with how Gregory is taking advantage of his time.”

Tomczyk also provided updates on three Pirates pitchers who are continuing to rehabilitate injuries in Bradenton.

• Starter Jameson Taillon, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, completed a scheduled week off from his progression throwing program and resumed throwing this week.

• Reliever Clay Holmes, seven weeks removed from suffering a broken left fibula in spring training, is scheduled to throw off a slope this week, which Tomczyk called a “very encouraging sign.”

• Steven Brault, competing for a spot in the starting rotation, is five weeks removed from a muscle strain in his left shoulder. Tomczyk said Brault is a “little bit” behind schedule but is in advanced stages of throwing-like activities and in the final stages of preparing to resume throwing within the next three to five days.