Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco out 7-9 months after shoulder surgery

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco, who underwent left shoulder surgery on Wednesday, is expected to miss seven-to-nine months while recovering, the team announced Friday.

In a surgery performed by Dr David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Polanco had his labrum repaired after he dislocated his left shoulder on an awkward slide into second base during a Sept. 7 victory against the Miami Marlins.

On Friday, Polanco's 27th birthday, the Pirates detailed the new timeline for recovery for their slugging outfielder, who may not be ready for spring training or the start of the 2019 season.

The Pirates had already announced that Polanco would miss the rest of the season. He batted .254 with a career-high 23 home runs, 32 doubles, 81 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 130 games.

In five seasons, all with the Pirates, Polanco has hit .253 with 72 homers and 287 RBIs in 624 games.