Jordy Mercer will be available off the bench in the series finale against the Twins tonight after suffering a right finger injury in the home opener at PNC Park Monday, and he expects to be back in the lineup Thursday.
Sean Rodriguez will start at shortstop and bat eighth for the Pirates, but Mercer took swings in the batting cage this afternoon and told reporters the swelling has dissipated over the past 24 hours, allowing him to field and throw grounders. Properly gripping a bat remains a challenge, though.
"I feel good," Mercer said. "Lots of improvement. Still a little bit black and blue, but it’s way better than yesterday. I woke up yesterday and was like, ‘Ah!’ Way better though. A lot better. I just took some swings in the cage, which is good news. I just hope I can get the swelling down and grip a bat."
Mercer, 31, jammed his pinkie into the first-base bag in the fourth inning of Monday's 5-4 win during a pickoff attempt. He finished the inning but was later replaced by Rodriguez. X-rays were negative and the club's day off on Tuesday allowed him more time to rest.
Mercer went 1 for 2 on Monday and is batting .154 in four games, and his availability will prevent the Pirates from having to use a three-man bench, which could have forced them to make a roster move.
Right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes, who was recalled when Joe Musgrove was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday, would have been the first candidate to be sent back to Triple-A Indianapolis, but the bullpen would have been left thin with Steven Brault having to start Thursday against the Reds.
Clint Hurdle confirmed that the veteran shortstop will be available both at the plate and in the field tonight. But Mercer will have to wear a mitt over his right hand while running the bases until the finger fully heals.
Although he expressed relief over escaping a more serious injury, Mercer said he was frustrated upon watching the replay of the awkward slide back to the bag.
"Figure out how to dive back, right?" Mercer said. "I still don’t know how I did it. I watched the replay, too. I guess my face told the whole story. I didn’t know my face did that. I don’t know. I’ll probably have to wear something over it when I get on base. I mean, everybody does, but I hate those things. I just have to until it heals and is fully ready to go."