Mercer to miss six weeks

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer is expected to miss six weeks because of a knee injury, leaving the Pirates without their starters on the left side of the infield possibly until September.

The Pirates put Mercer on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a day after he was hurt in a collision with Carlos Gomez in Milwaukee. Mercer sustained a bruise and a sprained left knee.

Third baseman Josh Harrison went on the disabled list July 7 with a torn left thumb ligament and is expected to miss seven weeks.

“Yeah, it’s a challenge,” Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said before Monday night’s game at Kansas City. “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 Pirates began the day 4½ games behind St. Louis in the National League Central.

Jung Ho Kang replaced Mercer on Sunday and will likely take over in the interim. He started at shortstop against the Royals after making 23 starts at third base.

Sean Rodriguez started at third for the first time this season.

Mercer was taken back to Pittsburgh on Sunday night and evaluated by team doctors. They recommended rest and rehabilitation, but no surgery.

“I actually think from what has happened we caught a break,” Hurdle said.

The Pirates promoted infielder Brent Morel from Class AAA Indianapolis and transferred first baseman Corey Hart to the 60-day DL.

Mercer was batting .192 at the end of May, but hit .304 in June to raise his average to .242 before the injury.