DETROIT -- The Tigers have been paying a price on defense for missing half of the veteran double-play combination they signed this past offseason. With Josh Harrison now joining Jordy Mercer on the 10-day injured list, that infield experience is now gone.

Harrison strained his left hamstring tendon sliding into third base on a ninth-inning double steal in Monday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. An MRI exam taken Tuesday showed a second-degree strain, according to manager Ron Gardenhire. There’s no timetable for Harrison's return.

A Grade 2 hamstring strain usually indicates a partial tear.

The Tigers also lost right-hander Spencer Turnbull, but likely just for a few days between starts. He was placed on the bereavement list to head home following the death of his grandfather. Turnbull is in line to start the Tigers’ series opener at Atlanta on Friday and likely will still do so; he’ll be eligible to return from the bereavement list on Friday.

Jeimer Candelario rejoined the Tigers on Tuesday as the corresponding move for Turnbull, 12 days after the Tigers optioned Candelario to Triple-A Toledo to work on his swing. Outfielder Victor Reyes was called up to replace Harrison.

The Tigers signed Mercer last offseason and Harrison early in Spring Training in an effort to stabilize their middle infield in the short term, reuniting the Pirates’ double-play duo on one-year contracts. But thanks to injuries, they’ve been in the starting lineup together for just 13 games, none since the Tigers’ 14th game of the season on April 13.

Mercer went on the injured list with a right quad strain on April 14, returned for a week, then went back on the injured list with an aggravation of the same injury. While Mercer was briefly back, Harrison was on the IL with a bruised left shoulder.

Mercer began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo this past weekend, but left the Mud Hens' game Tuesday with quad tightness. He was already scheduled for a day off Wednesday, but will be evaluated before deciding how to proceed Thursday.

The Tigers have rotated utility players at shortstop to fill Mercer’s spot at short, with mixed results. While Ronny Rodriguez earned the bulk of the starts recently as his bat heated up, his defensive struggles have become an increasing concern. Meanwhile, his hitting has also slumped; he was out of Tuesday’s lineup amidst a 2-for-28 skid with 15 strikeouts.

Now the Tigers have both middle infield spots to fill. Niko Goodrum’s experience at second base should help him hold down that spot on most days -- unless he’s starting at shortstop.

“We’re just trying to mix it up and find a way to score more than the other guys right now, to tell you the truth,” Gardenhire said.

Meanwhile, the Tigers now have two third basemen, at least for the next few days. Dawel Lugo has started eight games at the hot corner since Candelario was sent down, batting 7-for-31 with a home run and four RBIs.

Candelario, meanwhile, made some adjustments at the plate with Toledo, batting .357 (15-for-42) with three homers, 13 RBIs and nine walks against just six strikeouts.

"Just slowing everything down and control what I can control, try to keep the same routine all of the time,” Candelario said. “We worked hard on specific things that I need to do to be consistent."

Reyes made a cameo appearance with the Tigers at the start of the month, singling as a pinch-hitter on May 1 against the Phillies, but has otherwise spent all season with the Mud Hens. He batted .242 (36-for-149) at Toledo with five doubles, four homers, 30 RBIs and a .651 OPS.