Michael Mercado - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Slowed by shoulder issue The Phillies announced Wednesday that Mercado will be delayed at the start of spring training due to a right shoulder injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact The report doesn't provide much details on the severity of Mercado's injury, but even a minor concern could be enough to close the door on any chance that the right-hander had at securing a spot in the Phillies' Opening Day bullpen while he attends camp as a non-roster invitee. Mercado has made eight appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia over the last two seasons, allowing 21 earned runs on 23 hits and 14 walks over just 16 innings.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Back with Phillies on MiLB pact The Phillies re-signed Mercado to a minor-league contract Nov. 24.

Impact Mercado was non-tendered by the Phillies but quickly re-signed to a minor-league pact. The 26-year-old has been bludgeoned for 21 runs and a whopping 10 home runs over 16 innings so far at the major-league level.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Non-tendered by Philly The Phillies non-tendered Mercado on Friday.

Impact Mercado's time in the Phillies organization will come to an end after giving up 21 earned runs across just 16 innings in the majors. He finished 2025 with a more respectable 4.68 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 48 frames at Triple-A and will now likely seek out a minor-league deal during the offseason.

NOVEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sent back to Triple-A The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Impact After being called up from Triple-A on June 11, Mercado made three relief appearances during his week-and-a-half-long stay with the Phillies, covering three innings while allowing five earned runs on seven hits and four walks. The Phillies recalled right-hander Alan Rangel from Lehigh Valley to replace Mercado as a lower-leverage, multi-inning option out of the bullpen.

JUNE 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Luzardo returns to form with 10 strikeouts and Phillies bats come alive to end prolonged slumps

Jesús Luzardo returned to form and Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos contributed three of the Phillies’ five extra-base hits in a 7-2 win over the Cubs that the team c...

JUNE 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Schwarber and Bohm homer, Luzardo strikes out 10 to lead Phillies past Cubs 7-2

Kyle Schwarber homered, Alec Bohm hit a solo shot and had four RBIs, and Jesús Luzardo struck out 10 in six innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-2 win over the Chicago...

JUNE 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Summoned from Triple-A The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Impact Mercado will get his first call-up of the season after he previously made five appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia in 2024. After serving as a swingman between his stops in the minors and majors last season, Mercado has worked exclusively as a reliever for Lehigh Valley in 2025. Over his 17 appearances covering 20.1 innings, Mercado notched a 5.31 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB. He's likely to fill a lower-leverage role out of the Phillies bullpen.

JUNE 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from Triple-A The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

JUNE 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Mercado ready to go whenever IronPigs or Phillies need him Pitcher Michael Mercado ready to go whenever the IronPigs or Phillies need him. He is comfortable as a starter, a multi-inning reliever or i...

MARCH 30, 2025 • MCALL.COM

Doesn't make Opening Day roster The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Impact Mercado had a rough spring, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The 25-year-old also struggled during his first look at the majors last year, posting an 11.08 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across 13 regular-season frames. Mercado put up solid numbers with Lehigh Valley last year, though, and he could get another call-up at some point in 2025 if he continues to show development in the minors.

MARCH 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back in minors The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact He's absorbing the roster spot vacated by Jose Alvarado, who has been placed on the restricted list as he deals with a personal matter. Mercado was moved to the bullpen at Lehigh Valley after being demoted around the All-Star break and has collected a 2.92 ERA and 12:8 K:BB over 12.1 frames covering his last 10 appearances.

AUGUST 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dispatched to Triple-A The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact 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.

JULY 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Allows bulk runs in bulk relief 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.

Impact 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, thing have gone downhill since, with the rookie right-hander having allowed 11 earned runs over his last two appearances spanning 5.2 innings.

JULY 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Working in bulk relief Sunday Mercado is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Orion Kerkering in Sunday's game against the Athletics, Tim Kelly of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Impact Manager Rob Thomson announced Tuesday that Mercado was being moved to the bullpen, but because Zack Wheeler (back) is unable to take the hill for the Phillies' final game before the All-Star break Sunday, Mercado will end up serving as the club's de facto No. 5 member of the rotation to close out the first-half schedule. Though Kerkering is drawing the start, he hasn't recorded more than five outs in any appearance this season and is unlikely to work more than an inning or two before turning the game over to Mercado. Through his first three big-league outings (two starts), Mercado has given up six earned runs on seven hits -- including three home runs -- and five walks while striking out six across 7.2 innings.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Option to start Sunday Mercado could make a spot start Sunday against the Athletics, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Impact Mercado was moved to the bullpen after being roughed up by Atlanta in his latest start, however, the Phillies have scratched Zack Wheeler (back) from Sunday's upcoming scheduled start. That could set Mercado up to take one turn through the rotation, though he's unlikely to stick in the long term. It's also possible that Philadelphia opts for a bullpen game before heading into the All-Star break.

JULY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shifting back to bullpen Mercado will move back to the Phillies' bullpen, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Mercado pitched well in his first major-league start against the Cubs but was then roughed up in his second outing in Atlanta, coughing up five runs while recording just five outs. Tyler Phillips was effective in relief of Mercado in the latter outing and will slide into the rotation this weekend.

JULY 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Roughed up in loss Mercado (1-1) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta. He allowed five runs on five hits, three walks and a strikeout over 1.2 innings.

Impact Mercado was given another start after a solid outing against the Cubs on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the rookie right-hander was chased early on Sunday after allowing three homers in the second inning. It was the shortest outing by a Phillies starter this season. With Taijuan Walker (finger) and Spencer Turnbull (lat) both out through the All-Star break, Mercado should be given more opportunities to gain valuable experience.

JULY 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets another turn through rotation Mercado is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Impact Mercado shined in his first MLB start this past Tuesday against the Cubs, picking up the win while striking out four and allowing one run on two hits and two walks over five innings. Even if his performance takes a step back in Atlanta, Mercado should be well positioned to earn additional turns through the rotation, as Taijuan Walker (finger) is out through the All-Star break and Spencer Turnbull (lat) is unlikely to return from the injured list until sometime in August at the soonest.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Getting another rotation spin Mercado is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Atlanta.

JULY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kyle Schwarber Pushed Rookie Teammate to the Front of the Handshake Line After First Win Kyle Schwarber insisted Michael Mercado get the first handshakes after his first victory.

JULY 3, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Earns first MLB win Mercado (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Impact Mercado's 1.71 Triple-A ERA translated well into the big leagues Tuesday, as he was able to silence the Cubs' offense during his first career MLB start. The only blemish on the 25-year-old's record came via a third-inning RBI double courtesy of Cody Bellinger, but the right-hander responded by throwing back-to-back 1-2-3 innings before being pulled. With Spencer Turnbull (lat) set to miss 6-to-8 weeks and Taijuan Walker (finger) out through the All-Star break, Mercado will almost certainly be granted another start -- tentatively scheduled to come Sunday in Atlanta.

JULY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

First MLB start coming Tuesday Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Impact 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 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.

JUNE 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies call-up still sinking in for Michael Mercado: 'It's a real privilege' The Phillies plan to use Mercado, who will be available as early as Sunday, out of the bullpen. He's had an 1.71 ERA across 47⅓ innings so f...

JUNE 23, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

Meet Michael Mercado, a reliever with 'big league stuff' who could contribute to the Phillies this year With a mean fastball and good command, Michael Mercado is a great acquisition for the Phillies. But there is a reason he hasn’t made it to t...

MARCH 6, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

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Luzardo returns to form with 10 strikeouts and Phillies bats come alive to end prolonged slumps

Schwarber and Bohm homer, Luzardo strikes out 10 to lead Phillies past Cubs 7-2