Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training News & Notes: February 17

Day 4 of Spring Training 2018 is now in the books for the Pittsburgh Pirates, so here is a look at some news and notes from the day

Four days of Spring Training 2018 and three days of pitchers and catchers working out are in the books for the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the first full squad workout now just two days away, most of the players that have been invited to Spring Training are in camp for the Pirates.

Here is a look at some news and notes from Pirate City on Saturday.

Right fielder Gregory Polanco reported to camp on Saturday and met with the media. The still just 26-year-old Polanco believes that his new offseason workout routine will help to keep him healthy this season.

“I went into the offseason like, ‘I need to get my body ready.’ I needed to get my core and my back and my lower body stronger and in playing shape,” Polanco told reporters on Saturday. “I feel quicker. I feel like I can be me. I can’t wait to get back into the season, start Spring Training,” he added.

Hopefully, his new offseason routine will prove to do just that.

Last year at this time Polanco was dealing with a shoulder injury that nearly landed him on

the disabled list to start the regular season. During the regular season, he then had multiple disabled list stints due to hamstring problems. This came after a knee injury derailed the final two months of his 2016 campaign.

Polanco proved during his excellent stretch from July 2015-July 2016 that when healthy he can be a middle of the lineup bat. The Pirates need that from Polanco not just this year but in the future. Let’s hope that a healthy Polanco can produce in 2018 and beyond.

Also checking into camp on Saturday was super utility man Adam Frazier.

With the Pirates currently having an opening in left field, as well as the future of Josh Harrison still being up in the air it is possible, if not likely, that Frazier at least begins the season playing on a daily basis and batting leadoff.

Next: David Freese not happy w/ Pirate clubhouse

Stay tuned with Rum Bunter for Pittsburgh Pirates news from Bradenton throughout Spring Training 2018.