Jordy Mercer didn't suffer a broken finger diving back into first base in the fourth inning of the Pirates' 5-4 win over the Twins on Monday. However, he is day to day until the swelling dissipates.
The 31-year-old shortstop suffered an injury to his right pinky in the fourth inning while diving back to first base on a pickoff attempt, and although he finished the inning, he was later replaced by Sean Rodriguez. Todd Tomzcyk, the Pirates' director of sports medicine, told reporters Mercer is day-to-day, but Mercer hopes the club's day off Tuesday will provide enough recovery time.
"The x-rays came back negative, which was good," Mercer said. "I’ve probably done that a thousand times, diving back to first base, but I’ve never done that. It got me pretty good, but that’s all I wanted to hear was that the x-rays were negative, so it’s all about getting the swelling down and going from there."
Mercer went 1 for 2 on Monday and is batting .154 in four games, although Clint Hurdle credited Mercer's defense for helping the Pirates earn a sweep of a doubleheader against the Tigers on Sunday. If Mercer requires a stint on the disabled list, the Pirates would likely recall Max Moroff to serve as a backup utility infielder with Rodriguez filling in as the starter.
MATT SUNDAY GALLERY
Pirates vs. Twins, PNC Park, April 2, 2018. - MATT SUNDAY / DKPS