37.3 F
Pittsburgh

Josh Harrison Sees Time at Second Base in Latest Rehab Appearance

Published:

Following a 0-for-3 effort in his first contest, Jordy Mercer looked much more comfortable at the plate in his second rehab game. This translated to his numbers, as Mercer went 2-for-4 with a pair of sharp singles between the shortstop and third baseman.

“It is all about getting back in the flow of things,” Mercer said. “Me and Josh [Harrison] were talking and it has been three and a half weeks since we have been in the batter’s box and seen live pitching. It is going to take time and timing is the biggest part. It is good to get out there and continue to get at bats and get in a little rhythm and get settled in.”

Mercer also got a couple of opportunities in the game to test the knee as well. In the first inning, he reached on an error on a ground ball. Having to leg out the play, along with getting an opportunity to play a ground out deep in the hole on defense was a nice test for him. However, he said that the key is to get back to where he isn’t thinking about it.

“You don’t want to think about it,” Mercer said. “It is safe to say that the ball in the hole, I didn’t think about it. Everything came together and it felt pretty good. I am glad that it did and after the game was over, I felt really good with how the knee responded and continuing to progress each and every day.”

Along with Mercer, Josh Harrison is working on getting back in the grove. While Harrison saw a 0-for-4 game, he did strike a couple of fly outs well. One of them made it to the warning track and another just shy. He also added a couple of groundouts.

On defense, Harrison played second base on Thursday after playing third base on Tuesday in his rehab debut.

As for the thumb injury, Harrison said that the rehab process has been a bit different, since this is the first time that he has had this type of injury.

“[The thumb] is feeling better,” Harrison told Howard Kellman on the Indianapolis pregame radio broadcast. “It’s one of those things I’ve never been through before. I am just trying to take it day by day, just trying to improve and get back and remain healthy.”

Harrison said that it is also more than just getting the timing back down at the plate. He said that there are other areas that are needed as well.

“[I am trying to get the timing back] in all aspects,” Harrison told Kellman. “On the bases, in the field. The timing of the game and the speed of the game. It’s one thing to be in the dugout cheering your guys on for five weeks, but being out there and getting back in the flow of things is something that is more than just being at the plate. It is Spring Training all over again.”

When asked about a time frame, Harrison said that he would like to be in Pittsburgh now, but he will let the rehab process play out and take it a day at a time.

Mercer and Harrison will have a scheduled day off on Friday with Indianapolis. Mercer said that his next task will be playing back to back seven-inning games, followed by some nine-inning games. This would presumably be Saturday and Sunday. He said that the progress with Harrison will be a little different.

Ryan Palencer
Ryan Palencer
Ryan has been following Indianapolis baseball for most of his life, and the Pirates since they became the affiliate in 2005. He began writing for Pirates Prospects in 2013, in a stint that ran through 2016 (with no service time manipulation played in). Ryan rejoined the team in 2022, covering Indianapolis once again. He has covered the Pirates in four different big league stadiums. Ryan was also fortunate enough to cover the 2015 Futures Game in Cincinnati.

Related Articles

Article Drop

Latest Articles