10 Jordy Mercer SS

Mercer (calf) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Twins.

Mercer was removed from Tuesday's 5-2 loss in the fifth inning with a sore left calf and will get an additional day off to recover from the issue. If Mercer fails to demonstrate progress by the time the weekend comes around, a trip to the disabled list could become more realistic. Adeiny Hechavarria will fill in at shortstop for Mercer on Wednesday and would likely serve as the Pirates' primary option at the position for the duration of the latter's absence.

Mercer left Tuesday's game in top of the fifth inning with left calf discomfort, AT&T SportsNet reports.

Adeiny Hechavarria pinch hit for Mercer and then took his spot at shortstop. Mercer made a pair of uncharacteristic errors in Sunday's game. He walked in his lone plate appearance Tuesday.

Mercer is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rockies.

Mercer will take a seat in favor of the newly-acquired Adeiny Hechavarria. The playing-time split between the shortstop pair remains to be seen. Mercer's 92 wRC+ beats Hechavarria's 69 wRC+ fairly easily, but his defense grades out worse (-12 DRS, -1.9 UZR compared to 4 DRS and 0.9 UZR for Hechavarria).

Mercer, who hit a three-run homer Tuesday, could see his playing time decrease somewhat with the team's recent addition of infielder Adeiny Hechavarria.

The shortstop is a career .257 hitter, but has a lifetime batting average of .245 in August and September. Additionally, the 31-year-old's UZR (-1.9) and UZR/150 (-3.1) have both slipped in 2018. With Hechavarria on board, Mercer may actually have a better chance of maintaining his production, given that he won't be called upon to play nearly every inning. He also has the incentive of becoming a free agent following the season.

Mercer is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets.

Unless he makes an appearance off the bench, Mercer will have to wait until Tuesday's series opener against the Cubs to build on his eight-game hitting streak. Sean Rodriguez checks in at shortstop Sunday, batting eighth against Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.