The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled with outfield depth in recent seasons, a problem worsened by Johan Rojas serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
With Rojas sidelined, the Phillies looked to add reinforcements late in spring training, when many free agents become available, and have now brought in a familiar name.
According to Steve Adams, the club signed 31-year-old Óscar Mercado to a minor-league contract after his release from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mercado spent all of last season in Triple-A with the Phillies’ Lehigh Valley IronPigs, hitting .741 with 11 home runs over 115 games, and brings five partial MLB seasons of experience with stops in Cleveland, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. His previous major league time with the Phillies was limited to a single at-bat in 2022, which ended in a strikeout.
With Rojas out for the first half of the season, rookie Justin Crawford is expected to anchor center field, while Brandon Marsh and Adolis García will start in the corner outfield spots.
Utility players Dylan Moore and Otto Kemp will provide versatility off the bench, filling in wherever needed.
Although Mercado will likely fall behind Crawford, Marsh, García, and other everyday options on the depth chart, his presence provides valuable insurance in case of injuries or other roster challenges.
The signing gives the Phillies a familiar and reliable depth piece as they navigate a long season without one of their young outfielders, ensuring the team has options to maintain stability in the outfield.
