Pirates release struggling Polanco in a tough move

The Pittsburgh Pirates released struggling 29-year-old outfielder Gregory Polanco on Saturday, cutting ties with the last remaining player from the group that helped guide the team to three straight postseason berths from 2013-15.

Those days are long gone. Pittsburgh is less than two years into a top-to-bottom overhaul and is all but assured of finishing dead last in the NL Central for a third straight year.

Polanco’s age, declining production and onerous contract — his $11.6 million salary this season accounted for more than 20% of the team’s entire 2021 payroll — made him an ill fit for what the Pirates are trying to do. The team placed him on waivers last week and when no one picked up his remaining salary, they opted to let him go instead.

Polanco hit just .208 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs this season for Pittsburgh and had recently become a target for frustrated fans.

Still, that didn’t mean the decision was easy. Polanco’s infectious smile and unbridled enthusiasm for the game made him popular inside a young and largely anonymous clubhouse. Manager Derek Shelton called the meeting he had with Polanco on Saturday to inform him of the decision was the most challenging he’s had since taking over in November 2019.

“To Gregory’s credit, the way he handled it was so professional and so understanding,” Shelton said. “He understands what we’re doing as an organization, how we’re moving forward. I had a ton of respect for him (before and) I have even more respect for him now, for just the way he handled himself because it was not an easy conversation.”

INDIANS SEND STRUGGLING CLOSER KARNICHAK TO MINORS >> The Indians sent struggling reliever James Karnichak to Triple-A Columbus after he failed to retire a batter in Friday night’s loss to Boston.

Karinchak has gone from being one of the most dominant relievers in the AL to the minors in a span of six weeks. He was 6-2 and had a 2.52 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings over 41 games at the All-Star break.

Karinchak is 1-2 and has an 8.40 ERA with nine strikeouts in 15 innings over 18 games since. CUBS’ BOTE SUFFERS STRANGE INJURY >> The Cubs placed infielder David Bote on the 10-day injured list after he sprained his right ankle when he stepped on a ball during batting practice Friday.

The 28-year-old Bote is batting .202 with eight homers and 32 RBIs. He missed time earlier in the year with a dislocated left shoulder. ROYALS’ PEREZ STAYS HR HOT >> Salvador Perez homered for the fourth straight game, lining a two-run shot off the top of the fence for his 37th of the season, to lead the Kansas City Royals over the Mariners 4-2.

Perez’s four-game home run streak is tied for the longest of his career, the last coming in 2017. He has 16 homers since the All-Star break, including seven on the Royals’ current 10-game trip.