Pirates' Harrison, Mercer Receive Rehab Schedules
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer should return to the baseball diamond before next week ends, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle announced before his team set out for batting practice Wednesday.
Hurdle said that Harrison would begin his rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, while Mercer will either join him or succeed him on Friday.
Both players are presumably ahead of schedule in their respective recuperation processes. It was announced that Harrison, who tore a ligament in his thumb July 5 while sliding awkwardly, would miss seven weeks. The Pirates utility man is only four weeks removed from the injury.
Mercer, the victim of a controversial collision involving Brewers-turned-Astros outfielder Carlos Gomez on July 19, was slated to miss six weeks. He is two and a half weeks removed from the injury.
In addition to the news of the Pirates infielders, Hurdle also said that the rotation will be shuffled around. With an off-day Thursday, Gerrit Cole is expected to take the mound Friday, while Francisco Liriano will follow Saturday and Charlie Morton Sunday.
