Rob Biertempfel writes that shortstop Ronny Cedeno and utilityman Steve Pearce are nearly ready to return. Cedeno (concussion) is beginning a rehab assignment at Class AAA Indianapolis, and Pearce (calf) is already there.
↵Both additions should help. Chase D'Arnaud has been starting in Cedeno's place and has arguably been worse than Cedeno offensively and defensively. Pearce, meanwhile, should be able to help at third base, which has been a black hole all season. He'll also provide some much-needed pop against lefties - Matt Diaz was supposed to be the team's lefty-killer, but he hasn't done much this season.
↵Biertempfel also notes that Indianapolis shortstop Jordy Mercer was removed from Saturday's game after being beaned. In what might be a corresponding move, Josh Rodriguez was promoted from Altoona. Mercer got off to a hot start at Altoona before earning a promotion to Class AAA a few weeks ago, and he appeared to be just beginning to figure things out there, so if he's going to be out for a while, the timing of the injury is unfortunate.
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