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Phillies sign .677 OPS outfielder for third time since 2022
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- Phillies sign .677 OPS outfielder for third time since 2022
Phillies sign .677 OPS outfielder for third time since 2022 originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
When Johan Rojas received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, the Philadelphia Phillies ' outfield depth chart slimmed.
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Now, the NL East club has decided to bring back a veteran who spent last season with its Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The 31-year-old spent spring training with the Arizona Diamondbacks .
Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reported yesterday that the Phillies have signed Oscar Mercado . This marks Mercado's third stint with the organization after one Major League appearance in 2022 and 115 games played at Lehigh Valley in 2025.
Phillies sign Mercado for depth
"It's only natural to see Philadelphia bring in some familiar outfield depth. They're going with top prospect Justin Crawford in center field to begin the season," Adams wrote Tuesday. "Touted as he is, the 22-year-old has never taken a major league plate appearance and hasn't had an especially impactful spring, batting .250/.291/.346 in 55 turns at the plate."
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Mercado hit .249/.369/.373 with 11 home runs and 40 steals last season, providing a little bit of everything in the minors. He made his debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2019 and last appeared in MLB in 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals .
Mercado may never see the field this season at Citizens Bank Park. But it's probably reassuring the front office to know they have depth in case of injuries or poor performance.
