During Clint Hurdle’s pre-game meeting with the media before the Pirates Sunday night game with the Dodgers, he gave some updates on a few key injured players.
**Jordy Mercer (knee): Mercer’s rehab assignment has been moved up to Tuesday, a few days earlier than their original goal of Thursday or Friday. He will fly out to Indianapolis tomorrow to join the club for their Tuesday game. Clint Hurdle said that Mercer “is in a better position than we might have anticipated him being at this time” so they chose to bump up his assignment.
Mercer shared his thoughts after going through a workout on Sunday at PNC Park.
“It’s progressed really well, and I’ve basically hit every step there is on the field,” Mercer said. “I feel great. A lot of people that see me work out have said that I’m ready. If they say that, and I feel good, we just decided I might as well go ahead and go, get some reps, get my feet wet, and start getting back in game shape.”
Mercer said that he has yet to have any setbacks with the knee injury. He does experience some stiffness after working out, but he isn’t worried about that since it is common with the injury. He will wear a brace for a few games to see how it feels.
“I’ve done everything that I wanted to accomplish myself before I left here,” Mercer said. “Then again, I know it’s going to take some time when I get there. The knee is a little bit different than a hand or something, but it’s going to be good getting back out there.”
A few weeks ago, I asked Mercer about his personal timeframe for getting back into games, and he said that he expected to be ready at least two weeks earlier than the original six-week timetable. He shared that he feels like he has recovered quicker than even he expected, though.
“I’ve reached it a little before I thought I would’ve, to be honest with you,” Mercer shared. “I didn’t think it would respond the way it has responded to some of the stuff we’ve been doing. I knew laterally would be the toughest part, and we’ve taken baby steps up until the last couple of days. We’ve extended it and really pushed it, and it’s responded really well.”
**Josh Harrison (thumb): Harrison left for Indianapolis already and will begin his rehab assignment with the club on Tuesday.
**A.J. Burnett (flexor strain in right elbow): Burnett played catch yesterday and today for the first time since his PRP injection (Monday). This timeframe seems quick, given that the typical shutdown time for a player receiving a PRP injection is three weeks.
**Rob Scahill (right forearm): Scahill pitched a two inning/25 pitch outing in the Gulf Coast League, and everything went well, according to Clint Hurdle. He will report to Pittsburgh tomorrow in hopes of going to Altoona for a rehab assignment on Tuesday. The Pirates hope for Scahill to go three innings or 50 pitches on Tuesday for the Curve.
