The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.
Mercado was brought up from the minors on Monday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A after giving up four earned runs in only 1.1 innings during his outing against the Astros on Wednesday. Yunior Marte was recalled from Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Dispatched to Triple-A
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The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Mercado was lit up for six earned runs in four innings during his last appearance against Oakland on Sunday, and he'll now head back to Triple-A in order to right the ship. Yunior Marte was recalled from Lehigh Valley to fill the open spot in Philadelphia's bullpen.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Allows six runs in bulk relief
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Mercado (1-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing six runs on five hits and three walks over four innings against Oakland. He struck out two.
Mercado tossed a couple of scoreless innings to start his outing, but things began to unravel in the fourth. Mercado allowed three two-run homers in total -- a fourth-inning blast by Brent Rooker, a fifth-inning long ball by Lawrence Butler, then a second dinger by Rooker in the sixth that ended Mercado's day. Following a promising beginning to his career that saw Mercado allow one run in five innings against the Cubs during his first career start, things have gone downhill, with the rookie right-hander having allowed 11 earned runs over his last two appearances spanning 5.2 innings.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Option to start Sunday
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Mercado could make a spot start Sunday against the Athletics, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Mercado was moved to the bullpen after being roughed up by Atlanta in his latest start, though the Phillies have since scratched Zack Wheeler (back) from Sunday's upcoming scheduled start. That could set Mercado up for a spot start heading into the All-Star break. It's also possible that Philadelphia opts for a bullpen game instead.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Shifting to bullpen
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Mercado will move to the bullpen, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Mercado pitched well in his first major-league start against the Cubs last Tuesday but was then roughed up in his second outing in Atlanta on Sunday, coughing up five runs while recording just five outs. Tyler Phillips was effective in long relief of Mercado in the latter outing and will replace him in the rotation this weekend against the Athletics.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: First MLB start coming Tuesday
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Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who has posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta.
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Phillies' Michael Mercado: Summoned from Triple-A
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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: Sent to Philadelphia
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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.
