Mercer out of starting lineup with sore right ankle

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer left Friday night's 5-3 loss to Milwaukee after the third inning with discomfort in his right ankle, and he was held out of the starting lineup for Saturday night's contest but flew out as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. He was injured in the top of the inning when Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado slid into him while attempting to break up a double play. The Pirates said Mercer would be re-examined Saturday.

"Jordy showed up today feeling a little bit better," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He was going to go through a treatment period and then an activation period and see where that takes him. We're going to play it safe tonight, hopefully he can be able to compete for us later in the game. Clint Barmes will start, but there was some improvement."

"It feels good," Mercer said. "I have good range of motion. If they need me, I can play."