Jordy Mercer Returns, Daniel McCutchen Optioned for Pittsburgh Pirates
By Matt Shetler
As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the biggest month of September in the past 20 years, there could be a bit of reshuffling of the roster along the way.
That process may have started today as infielder Jordy Mercer is back from paternity leave and pitcher Daniel McCutchen was optioned back to Triple-A.
McCutchen’s lone appearance after his call-up was a forgettable one as he gave up Chase Headley’s walk-off homer Tuesday night in San Diego.
Mercer was away as his wife gave birth to their first child Maveric and will return to help try and get this team into the playoffs. Before he left, Mercer was hitting only .212 with a homer and four RBI, but was swinging the bat much better once Clint Hurdle started giving him more regular at bats.
McCutchen’s stay in the minors likely won’t be a long one as he’s a likely candidate to be called up when the rosters expand on Sept.1.
He should be one of only a handful of guys to earn the promotion for the last month as I don’t expect the Bucs to call up too many players, as they are in the middle of a push for the playoffs.