PITTSBURGH -- Cole Tucker believes he can be an everyday Major League shortstop. So do the Pirates. But for now, and perhaps early next season, Tucker might have to play a different role.

The rookie was not in the starting lineup on Tuesday night at PNC Park, due in part to a knee injury that flared up after Sunday’s game in Milwaukee. He’s spent most of this month coming off the bench, though, with six starts and nine appearances as a sub in September.

That might be Tucker’s best path to playing time next season. The 23-year-old still might be Pittsburgh’s shortstop of the future, but Kevin Newman has taken the job with a strong rookie season of his own. The Pirates could make room for Tucker by either putting him at second base or moving Newman over to second, but they’ve also seen second baseman Adam Frazier play better defense this season while making progress offensively over the last month.

Where might that leave Tucker next Opening Day? Potentially right where Newman was at the beginning of this season, coming off the bench and making spot starts while working to earn a bigger role. The Pirates have a history of utility-type players claiming everyday jobs, with recent examples like Newman and Frazier among them.

“I definitely think I can be an everyday Major Leaguer, but yeah, your opportunities are your opportunities,” Tucker said Sunday. “Whatever that looks like, I want to be as good of a whatever-I’m-going-to-be as I can. If that’s coming off the bench, if it’s being a bullpen catcher -- I want to be good at it.”

To that end, Tucker has worked with Pirates hitting coach Rick Eckstein to develop a more deliberate pregame routine in the batting cage. It’s nothing radical or outrageous, Tucker said, but they want to enter every day with a plan that will set him up for success come game time.

“Working on being more intentional and purposeful, and really just having a routine for the first time, as opposed to going and being willy-nilly and doing whatever,” Tucker said. “It’s growing and evolving and learning what I need to do to become a complete Major League hitter. It’s been showing up, which is nice.”

Tucker’s first stint in the Majors from late April to early June was a challenge offensively, as he hit just .196 with a .565 OPS and 34 strikeouts in 120 plate appearances. His return in the past month has been better, with nine hits -- including two doubles and three triples -- in 35 at-bats. Two of those triples came as a pinch-hitter.

“There’s focus and intent in every at-bat,” Tucker said. “But when you’re coming in knowing you’re only getting one, there’s definitely a heightened focus whether you want to acknowledge that or not.”

No injury news

Before Tuesday’s series opener against the Cubs, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he was awaiting an official update regarding the status of Tucker, catcher Elias Díaz (right knee), Josh Bell (strained left groin) and Starling Marte (sprained left wrist).

Díaz exited Saturday’s game after twisting his right knee trying to catch a pitch from starter James Marvel. Tucker and Díaz went for further testing on Monday’s off-day, Hurdle said.

Marte hasn’t started since Sept. 8, though he was able to pinch-run on Sept. 9-10 in San Francisco. Bell hasn’t played since exiting the Pirates’ game at Wrigley Field early on Sept. 13. Both have expressed interest in returning this season, if possible.

The Pirates only have two series left to play, however, so it’s possible some or all of their injured players could be shut down for the rest of the season.

“I’m hoping they can let me know if the book’s either open or closed on Bell and Marte as well,” Hurdle said.