9 Jordy Mercer SS

Mercer could back up all four infield spots this season, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Mercer was released and re-signed to an NRI deal by the Tigers in April, and the veteran could serve as a super-utility player when the regular season is able to begin. Mercer slashed .270/.310/.438 with nine home runs and 22 RBI in 74 games last year, but a lack of an everyday role will keep his fantasy appeal limited in 2020.

Mercer was released and re-signed to an NRI deal with the Tigers this week, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The Tigers had to re-work Mercer's contract to account for later dates to opt out since spring training was suspended. He will still be in camp competing for a roster spot when things resume. Mercer hit .300 with one home run in 22 plate appearances this spring.

Mercer went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Mercer connected in the sixth inning for his first home run of the spring, and he's now sporting a .794 OPS in Grapefruit League play. The veteran recorded nine home runs and a .748 OPS in 74 games for the Tigers last season, and he profiles as a utility infielder heading into 2020, which limits his appeal.

Mercer signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

Mercer is back with the Tigers after appearing in 74 games for Detroit in 2019, posting a .270/.310/.438 slash line with nine home runs and 22 RBI. The veteran will fight to claim a role on the team's Opening Day roster as a utility infielder.

Mercer remains on the bench Tuesday against the Twins.

Mercer had been seemingly the starting second baseman in mid-September but appears to have lost that role, as he's sitting for the third straight game. Harold Castro starts for the third time in four games.

Mercer is not starting Wednesday against Cleveland.

Mercer hits the bench after hitting three straight games. Harold Castro takes over at second base in his absence.

Mercer went 1-for-3 with a walk, a two-run home run and two runs scored in Monday's 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Mercer got Detroit on the board in the first inning with his ninth home run of the season, then came around to score again in the sixth. The veteran infielder is slashing a solid .281/.391/.460 this year, though his playing time has dipped a bit in the second half with the rebuilding Tigers getting a look at some younger players.

Mercer went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Friday night in a loss to the Orioles.

Mercer delivered an RBI single to left field in the sixth inning, but it wasn't enough to lift his team to victory. The 33-year-old shortstop is hitting well above his career average of .257 in 2019, slashing .281/.317/.447 with eight homers and 18 RBI over 66 games.

Mercer went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and a game-winning RBI in Tuesday's 12-11 win over the Yankees.

Mercer scored in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 11-11, then singled home Willi Castro two innings later to end the game. The 33-year-old has a respectable .273/.310/.441 slash line this season, though he's seen a dip in playing time as the 43-100 Tigers take a longer look at some younger players.

Mercer (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Sunday at Oakland.

Mercer exited Thursday's game with the right wrist contusion but is good to go after sitting out the last two games. The veteran infielder is enjoying a decent season with a .272/.308/.446 slash line in 62 games.

Mercer (wrist) remains on the bench Saturday against Oakland.

Mercer left Thursday's game with a wrist contusion and hasn't started either of the last two days, though he did appear for the conclusion of a suspended game that took place Friday, so it's possible the injury is no longer bothering him. Willi Castro will start at shortstop Saturday.

Mercer (wrist) is not starting Friday against the Athletics.

Mercer left Thursday's game with a right wrist contusion. He doesn't have an everyday role at the moment, so there's no guarantee that his absence from the lineup means he's still injured, especially as he appeared for the final few innings of a suspended game earlier in the day.

Mercer left Thursday's game against the Royals with a right wrist contusion, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

He suffered the injury in the fifth inning while fielding a hard-hop grounder. Mercer was 2-for-2 with a home run and an additional run scored prior to exiting. He was replaced at shortstop by Willi Castro. According to Beck, X-rays came back clean, and the shortstop said after the game that his wrist is fine.

Mercer went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in an 8-3 loss against the Twins on Sunday.

The veteran shortstop hadn't hit a homer since Aug. 6 and went deep just twice in August, so it's only fitting he already hit a homer on Sept. 1. Mercer has never been much of a power hitter, but he has already passed his 2018 homer total despite nearly half as many at-bats. He is hitting .267 with seven home runs, 15 RBI and 16 runs in 206 at-bats this season.

Mercer went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Twins.

The veteran recently lost his starting job at shortstop to 22-year-old Willi Castro, but Mercer picked up his first start at first base all season Sunday, and he delivered a strong performance. The 39-89 Tigers have no incentive to play Mercer over Castro as they look to the future, but the former could serve in a utility role the rest of the way.

Mercer is expected to work in a reserve role for the rest of the season after the Tigers called up Willi Castro from Triple-A Toledo on Saturday and installed him as their new everyday shortstop, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

General manager Al Avila previously suggested that Castro would be summoned from the minors when rosters expanded in September, but the well-regarded prospect received an early callup when utility man Niko Goodrum (groin) landed on the injured list. Mercer immediately retreated to the bench in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Twins to clear a spot for Castro, who batted seventh and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in his MLB debut. The 39-88 Tigers have little to gain by handing regular at-bats in September to a veteran on an expiring deal, so don't expect Mercer to make more than 2-to-3 starts per week -- if that -- unless Castro goes down with an injury.

Mercer is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros,.

Niko Goodrum gets the start at shortstop and will bat fourth against right-hander Gerrit Cole. Mercer has quietly put together a productive month of August by slashing .333/.357/.500 with two home runs, seven RBI and three runs scored across 15 games. The veteran infielder owns a .688 OPS in 150 plate appearances against righties.

Mercer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

He'll cede shortstop to Gordon Beckham after playing all 13 innings in Saturday's 1-0 loss. Mercer has been acting as Detroit's primary option at the position when healthy this season, but the expected promotion of Willi Castro from Triple-A Toledo within the next couple of weeks could result in the veteran transitioning into a backup role.

Mercer is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Mercer will get a routine breather for the series finale after starting at shortstop in seven of the previous eight contests. Since the 32-year-old is on an expiring contract, he could be at risk of losing work in the middle infield over the final few weeks of the season to the likes of Niko Goodrum (who will start Thursday) or perhaps even prospect Willi Castro, who is expected to receive a September callup from Triple-A Toledo.

Mercer is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Mercer started Friday and Saturday, collecting two hits in seven at-bats, but he'll get a day off Sunday. The versatile Niko Goodrum will take over at shortstop.