Pittsburgh Pirates agree to five-year contract with promising outfielder Gregory Polanco

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed Monday to a long-term deal with promising outfielder Gregory Polanco that runs well into the next decade. Yahoo Sports and the Associated Press reported that the 24-year-old right fielder has agreed to a five-year, $35 million contract that runs from 2017 to 2021. Polanco is signed for this year at $535,000. The new deal adds the $35 million and includes club options for 2022 and 2023 that could raise the value to $58 million.

Gray sidelined

Oakland ace Sonny Gray was scratched from his opening day start because of food poisoning. Rich Hill replaced him Monday night against the Chicago White Sox. The A’s did not say when Gray would pitch next.

Gregerson retains job

Luke Gregerson held onto his job as Houston’s closer, beating out newcomer Ken Giles, Astros Manager A.J. Hinch said. Gregerson, a 31-year-old right-hander, went 7-3 with a 3.10 ERA and converted 31 of 36 save chances last season, his first in Houston. The hard-throwing Giles converted 15 of 17 save opportunities after becoming Philadelphia’s closer in the final two months of the 2015 season. The Astros acquired him from the rebuilding Phillies in December as part of a deal that sent 2013 top overall draft pick Mark Appel to Philadelphia.