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

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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 past 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.

EDGE Analysis

Mercer recently lost his starting job at shortstop to 22-year-old Willi Castro, but the veteran infielder 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.

EDGE Analysis

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,.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Mercer went 1-for-5 with a game-winning two-run home run in Thursday's 10-8 win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

It's been an injury-plagued season for Mercer, and Thursday's walkoff blast was a high point. The 32-year-old shortstop is still hitting just .245 with six home runs and 11 RBI, but he should receive ample playing time the rest of the way if he can stay healthy.

Mercer went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in the second game of the team's doubleheader Tuesday against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Mercer took Dylan Covey deep in the seventh inning to record his fifth home run of the season. Earlier in the contest, he led off the Tigers scoring with an RBI single in the second frame. Despite the nice performance, Mercer is hitting just .238/.288/.399 across 153 plate appearances for the season.