Mercer 'always ready to play, no matter what'

OAKLAND -- Jordy Mercer went to manager Ron Gardenhire on both Friday and Saturday and told him he was ready to play. But Gardenhire -- who could see from Mercer’s attempts at batting practice swings that the right wrist contusion Mercer sustained on Thursday on a bad-hop grounder was an issue -- declined, even after an X-ray determined there was no broken bone in the wrist.

On Sunday, Mercer was back in the lineup at shortstop even though, as he said before the game, his swing is still somewhat compromised.

Mercer went 0-for-3 in Detroit's 3-1 loss, with a groundout and a pair of flyouts.

“When I got hit in Kansas City, it really swelled up,” Mercer said. “The swelling is down. It still feels not great, but it’s good enough.

“When there’s a chance to get in there, you want to get in there. You’re always ready to play, no matter what, when the chance arises.”

It’s been a tough year medically for Mercer, who entered the game with a .272/.308/.446 slash line. He missed 60 of 67 games from April through early July with a strained right quad.

“I think I’ve worn out my welcome in the trainers’ room this year,” Mercer said of the 2 1/2 months he spent doing daily work to get the quad back in playing shape. And although the injury is in the record books as a strain, “Really, I almost tore it," he said.

Turnbull, Gardenhire talk it out

In the first few innings following his removal from Friday’s start after recording just five outs, Spencer Turnbull sat on the bench and had a long in-depth conversation with Gardenhire.

Turnbull has not won since May 31, and he’s working on a 10-game losing streak with four no-decisions, including Friday’s, mixed in.

With pitching coach Rick Anderson away for the weekend to attend his daughter’s wedding, Gardenhire stepped in. And he did most of the talking.

“We had a conversation,” Gardenhire said. “I think there are too many things racing through his head when he’s out there, thinking, 'What do I do next?’ instead of getting the ball, picking up the target and throwing the living fire out of it.

“That’s what we talked about on the bench. He’s got a great arm. He’s just letting a lot of things get into his head. When you step on the rubber, you should be looking at the glove, and when the catcher puts a sign down, you shake your head yes and throw right to that glove as hard as you possibly can. He’s got to learn that right now.”

Niko likely done for 2019

It seems that the Tigers will not see Niko Goodrum on the field again this season.

Suffering from a groin injury, the infielder/outfielder isn’t quite healthy yet. And when he is, it probably won’t matter, Gardenhire said.

“I’d say he’s out for the year,” Gardenhire said. “He’s been out a while, and there’s no rehab place for him to get some games to get ready."