Starling Marte and Jordy Mercer were both removed from the Pirates’ lineup tonight with injury issues. Mercer was scratched prior to the game, after being on the initial lineup card. He was removed with right forearm discomfort. It doesn’t seem like it’s too serious, as he ended up pinch-hitting and grounding out.
Meanwhile, Marte was making his first start since September 5th, missing a few weeks with back spasms. He was pulled from tonight’s game with back tightness, leaving in the middle of the third inning during his second at-bat of the game. He singled on a line drive in his first at-bat of the game. With so little time remaining in the season, it seems unlikely that Marte would get much playing time the final two weeks, if he gets any at all.
