ST. LOUIS -- Prior to the start of the Pirates' nine-game road trip against National League Central opponents, they received a bit of support as both Gregory Polanco and Adam Frazier were activated off the 10-day disabled list before Friday night's 4-1 loss to the Cardinals.
Polanco had been on the DL with a left hamstring strain for the third time this season. The Pirates dealt with the lingering injury by adjusting parts of the outfielder's training and focusing on the goal of keeping him healthy for the long term.
In 91 games this year, he was batting .255 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
"It feels so comfortable," Polanco said. "I'm so excited to be back in the lineup and to be able to play how I can play, and for sure I feel good, I feel great and 100 percent and ready to play."
Frazier also comes off the DL from a hamstring injury, but in his right leg. He did not start on Friday but was called on to pinch-hit in the seventh inning, knocking in Elias Diaz from second base.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is planning on limiting both players' time, giving Frazier opportunities in the infield and outfield. Prior to his injury, the utility man had been playing at the outfield corners and second base.
"We're going to play [Frazier] where we feel appropriate to play him," Hurdle said. "To get him infield work, to get him outfield work, there's some days he did a little bit of both, nobody was in the mindset to just stick him in the outfield. We got Polanco back, we got [Starling] Marte, we got [Andrew] McCutchen, we got [Max] Moroff getting reps, but this gives them the opportunity to move one or two or both within the same game."
Frazier may get increased playing time on the infield after Josh Harrison was placed on the DL with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his left hand Sunday. Both players will be limited as the season continues, giving the team the opportunity to look at younger players and not test injuries.
"Nobody is going to play three days in a row," Hurdle said. "They're may be a chance for a back-to-back day based on how they feel after the game they play, but we're taking it one day at a time."
Taillon getting time off
After a rough start by Jameson Taillon against the Cubs on Thursday -- he gave up six runs on 11 hits in 4 2/3 innings -- Hurdle announced that the team would be skipping the right-hander's next start. Since the All-Star break, Taillon has struggled, posting a 7.17 ERA in 11 starts.
"He's had a crazy year, and we're trying to honor that as well, that we don't have all the answers," Hurdle said of Taillon, who returned this season from testicular cancer surgery. "I think he's also at the point where he understands, too, it's about results and is there something we can help find his way back to in a 10-day down period? He's all for that as well."
The Pirates have yet to determine who will make his next start, partly depending on when Triple-A Indianapolis is finished with the International League playoffs.