Phillies' Michael Mercado: Likely to join rotation
Rotowire
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Turnbull has since been placed on the 15-day injured list, so it would appear Mercado is set to join the Phillies' rotation next week. Mercado made one one-inning relief appearance earlier this week in his major-league debut, but he's been used mostly as a starter this season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, collecting a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB over 47.1 frames covering 10 starts and four relief outings. The 25-year-old's first big-league start is tentatively lined up to come Tuesday in Chicago against the Cubs.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Summoned from Triple-A
Rotowire
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.
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.
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.
