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Kang Jung-ho likely to replace Jordy Mercer at SS after injury

July 20, 2015
Pittsburgh Pirates' Jung Ho Kang (27) watches as teammate Jordy Mercer (10) collides with Milwaukee Brewers' Carlos Gomez during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 19, 2015, in Milwaukee. Gomez was out on the play and Mercer left the game on a cart. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jung Ho Kang (27) watches as teammate Jordy Mercer (10) collides with Milwaukee Brewers’ Carlos Gomez during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, July 19, 2015, in Milwaukee. Gomez was out on the play and Mercer left the game on a cart. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By Brian Han

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost starting shortstop Jordy Mercer to a knee contusion and MCL sprain on Sunday putting the 28-year-old out of commission for approximately six weeks.

South Korean rookie Kang Jung-ho replaced him during the game and will most likely take over the position for the time being.

Kang had been filling in for third baseman Josh Harrison who will be out until August according to NBCSports.com.

He’s expressed that he’s more than up to the challenge given that he had played shortstop for years in South Korea before coming overseas to join the major leagues.

Kang has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games including four multi-hit games bringing up his average to .275.

With five home runs so far on the season, Kang has yet to put the power he demonstrated in South Korea on display.