Joey Bart, who entered concussion protocol Monday night after taking a foul tip to the face mask, is now hitting the 7-day concussion injured list.
Bart, the former No. 2 overall pick, was hitting .333 with a .903 OPS in August. Austin Wynns will start Tuesday’s game against the Padres, forming a battery with Logan Webb. The Giants recalled Yermín Mercedes, a preferred designated hitter, for backup catching depth.
Mercedes is slotted to hit third and play first base on Tuesday while effectively serving as SF’s emergency catcher.
Before San Francisco placed Bart on the IL, manager Gabe Kapler said the catcher was feeling better this morning. Bart went through some light on-field work to test if his symptoms worsen or not.
After removing him for precautionary measures, Kapler said Bart reported some “pressure” in the wake of Monday night’s 6-5 loss. Bart declined to talk with reporters in the clubhouse Tuesday.
Mercedes had to wait until about 5:30 p.m. — after Bart reconvened with doctors — to know whether or not he’d be activated. He told KNBR pregame that he’s been getting work in at catcher for the River Cats; he caught one game behind the dish and has also played first.
“I’m good,” Mercedes said. “I’m doing whatever they want, just be prepared, be ready for every moment. Because you never know what’s going to happen. I just want to be ready for every moment when they give me the opportunity to do my job.”
In 30 games with the Giants this year, Mercedes is hitting .243 with a .695 OPS. He’s mostly a liability in the field, where his misplay on a pop fly cost the Giants in a game earlier this season in Dodger Stadium.
Evan Longoria, who’s playing through a hamstring injury, will serve as San Francisco’s designated hitter Tuesday — and as long as his leg prohibits him from manning the hot corner.
Bart, who has six home runs since returning on July 6 from his Triple-A restart, will miss San Francisco’s next seven games. He joins Brandon Belt, whose season is hanging in the balance of a surgery decision, on the injured list.