BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer left Pittsburgh's 5-3 loss to Baltimore on Sunday night at McKechnie Field in the fourth inning because of left knee discomfort. He's listed as day to day.
The injury to Mercer, who made 108 starts at shortstop last season, occurred when he slid into third base following Ed Easley's popout to right field with one out. Mercer went in feet first and overslid the bag to beat L.J. Hoes' throw.
Mercer limped slightly after standing up. Soon after, Pedro Florimon entered as a pinch-runner.
"I slid over the bag, because I didn't realize how fast I was, I guess," Mercer said with a smile.
Mercer, 29, said he left the game for precautionary reasons and that he should be fine to return Monday.
"The front of my knee impacted the front of the bag," he said. "It was nothing new. Just precautionary."
If Mercer's situation isn't serious, that would be a welcome development for the banged-up Pirates. Reliever Jared Hughes (left lat), outfielder Starling Marte (right quad tightness), outfielder Gregory Polanco (right shoulder discomfort) and first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse (leg) are all recovering from injuries.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is optimistic about Mercer's condition.
"I think Jordy is going to be fine," Hurdle. "He jammed his knee into the base when he slid, so I think it's a small contusion."