Mercer headed to injured list

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Tigers entered Saturday with a short bench thanks to Nick Castellanos’ sprained right big toe and Niko Goodrum’s flu bug. A right quadriceps strain to Jordy Mercer was one injury too many, which is why the Tigers' shortstop is headed to the 10-day injured list.

The Tigers will wait until Sunday to announce a corresponding roster move to make sure they can get a player from their Triple-A Toledo club, which is on the road at Norfolk this weekend, to the Twin Cities in time for Sunday’s series finale. Ronny Rodriguez, who started 19 games at shortstop for the Tigers last year, was noticeably absent from the Mud Hens' lineup, while Willi Castro and Pete Kozma were starting.

Though Mercer was able to leg out a double on his fifth-inning line drive off the left-field fence, he was clearly hobbled as he rounded first base.

“Honestly it felt like a spasm, really,” Mercer said after the Tigers’ 4-3 loss. “It just felt like it was one of those things where it just wouldn’t go away. It was spasming the whole time.

“I didn’t feel a pop. I didn’t feel anything like that. So that’s good news. Just take it day by day.”

Still, the injury slowed more than Mercer’s baserunning. His two-hit game included his third double in five games. He’s 7-for-19 over his last six games, providing some much-needed offense in the bottom third of the Tigers order.

“It just stinks not being out there with your teammates,” Mercer said. “Hopefully we can get this thing wrapped up. I shouldn’t be out for too long. We’ll see.”

Gordon Beckham pinch-ran for Mercer, then stayed in the game at shortstop. Goodrum, who started some games at shortstop last year, was unavailable to do anything more than pinch-run.

Add in Castellanos’ injury, and Mercer’s exit left the Tigers out of position players for the rest of the game.