PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates are "still optimistic" that injured right fielder Gregory Polanco will play again this season, head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday.
Polanco -- aka "El Coffee" for Players Weekend -- is on the 10-day disabled list for the third time this year due to a strained left hamstring. He missed eight games in May and nine more in late July before aggravating the injury again Aug. 12 in Toronto. The Pirates went 2-7 during Polanco's late-July absence and entered Wednesday with a 2-7 record since his most recent injury.
Polanco was eligible to return Wednesday, but he is still in the early stages of his rehabilitation.