
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to overtake the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central or qualify for the playoffs as a wild card, they will be doing it with a revised left side of their infield until possibly September.
Shortstop Jordy Mercer went on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, an injury that likely will keep out of the lineup for six weeks.
Mercer’s injury was the result of a Carlos Gomez slide Sunday in Milwaukee.
On July 6, Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison sustained a torn left thumb ligament. It was anticipated he would miss seven weeks.
“It’s a challenge with the left side of your infield (on the disabled list),” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “The beautiful thing about this game is no other team really cares. So we’re going to play on, opportunities to bring next man up or put a new man in. That’s what we’ll continue to do.”
The recommendation for Mercer is rest and rehab, as surgery will not be necessary.
“I actually think from what has happened we caught a break,” Hurdle said.
Jung Ho Kang, who was filling in for the injured Harrison at third base, moved over to shortstop Monday night and went 2-for-4 with a walk and scored two runs in the Pirates’ 10-7 triumph over the Royals.
It was his first start at shortstop since June 13, although it is his standard position. Hurdle indicated Kang would get the lion’s share of playing time at shortstop until Mercer heals. Sean Rodriguez figures to be the regular third baseman.
After a slow start, Mercer hit .304 in June and raised his season average to .242 before landing on the disabled list.
“There’s never a good time to lose a player for a month for the player’s sake,” Hurdle said. “What I think this will do in a lot of different cases will show the value of what Jordy does on a daily basis that goes under the radar that is taken for granted or not made aware of. He’s a big part of that infield glue.
“We’re going to give an opportunity for a different cast of characters to get involved.”