The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Mercado will take over the spot on the 26-man active roster that previously belonged to right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger), who was placed on the 15-day injured list. A 25-year-old right-hander, Mercado has started in 10 of his 14 appearances for Lehigh Valley this season, compiling a 1.71 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 innings. Mercado will be utilized out of the Philadelphia bullpen for now, with Spencer Turnbull lined up to start Wednesday against the Tigers as a replacement in the rotation for Walker, per Paul Casella of MLB.com.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Optioned to minors
Rotowire
The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.
Mercado, whom the Phillies acquired from the Rays in November, occupies a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster but has yet to make his big-league debut. He'll likely occupy a spot in Lehigh Valley's bullpen and will look to distinguish himself with the hope of earning a call-up to the Phillies.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Sent to Philadelphia
Rotowire
The Phillies acquired Mercado from the Rays on Monday in exchange for right-hander Adam Leverett and cash considerations.
Mercado split the 2023 campaign between Triple-a Durham and Double-A Montgomery, generating a 4.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 95:35 K:BB in 62 innings between the two stops. The Phillies selected the 24-year-old right-handed reliever's contract and added him to their 40-man roster, but he'll likely to open the 2024 campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley rather than in the majors.
