Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado left Thursday’s win over the San Francisco Giants with a wrist injury. Per MLB.com’s Mandy Bell Mercado will be evaluated Friday morning at their Spring Training complex. Mercado’s status is currently day-to-day.
This should keep Oscar Mercado out of action for a few days. Mercado’s roster spot is not in danger and making sure he is healthy for when the regular season begins must be the priority here. The Indians need to ensure they have their full compliment of outfielders available to them once the season starts.
If for some reason Mercado were to miss significant time the options available to them are not all that exciting. Delino DeShields and Greg Allen are players Cleveland could turn to, but they are more fourth/reserve outfielder types. DeShields and Allen shouldn’t play more than two times per week when all of their options available to them.
Mercado’s absence could allow some other outfield options to get some extra playing time in an effort to make the Opening Day roster. Players who need to step up to make a push include Jake Bauers, Daniel Johnson, and Bradley Zimmer. All three have struggled big time in Arizona and could use the opportunities to take steps in the right direction and possibly make the team out of Spring Training.
UPDATE
Oscar Mercado’s MRI came back and revealed a mild wrist sprain per Mandy Bell.
