Gennett pinch-hits after being held out of lineup

MILWAUKEE -- Second baseman Scooter Gennett, held out of the starting lineup to give his ailing right quad muscle one additional day, was used as a pinch-hitter Sunday against the Mets.

Gennett batted for Elian Herrera with runners on first and second with one out in the seventh inning and popped out to third. Gennett did not play in the field.

"They want to be smart," said Gennett, who had not played since coming out of Tuesday's game against the Reds. "Obviously I want to play and want to get back out there as soon as possible."

Manager Ron Roenicke said before the game that he had discussed the situation with head trainer Dan Wright and thought the extra day was the safest plan.

"We talked about it last night. He was available last night, but I was going to run for him," Roenicke said. "So, I'm thinking, 'OK, if I have to run for this guy, is he really ready to go the next day?' He probably was OK to go today, in fact he's out running right now with Dan.

"But I asked Dan, 'does one day give us the feeling that it really is going to help him, instead of are we kind of on that edge where should we play him or should we not?' We can't lose this guy."

Veteran Rickie Weeks, who normally platoons at second against left-handed pitching, has played full-time in Gennett's absence. But Roenicke expects the left-handed-hitting Gennett back in the lineup for the first two games of the three-game series at Tampa, beginning Monday against right-handers Jake Odorizzi and Alex Cobb.

Gennett, batting .305 overall, is hitting .330 in 261 at-bats against right-handers, but just .118 in 34 at-bats against left-handed pitching.