Pirates activate shortstop Mercer from DL
PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Pirates activated shortstop Jordy Mercer from the disabled list Sunday and placed first baseman Travis Ishikawa on the 15-day DL with a lower back strain.
Mercer went on the disabled list July 20 after spraining the MCL in his right knee and suffering a lower leg contusion in a collision with Carlos Gomez during a game in Milwaukee. Mercer was not in the starting lineup for Sunday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants, which ended too late for this edition. For game information, visit www.observer-reporter.com.
Rookie Jung Ho Kang has thrived since taking over regular shortstop duties in Mercer’s absence. The 28-year-old Kang is hitting .290 with 12 homers and 45 RBI this season. Manager Clint Hurdle said Kang “needs to play” and will work Mercer into the lineup at some point soon.