After being claimed on waivers Monday, Óscar Mercado has reported and will be active for the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves.
To make room for him on the 26-man roster, RHP Zach Eflin was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 26) with a right knee bruise.
Notably, Meracado will wear the No. 35, becoming the first Phillie to do so since former World Series MVP Cole Hamels was traded to the Texas Rangers in July of 2015. For nearly seven years, no Phillie has worn the No. 35. Mercado did wear that number during his four seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, so it’s not surprising that he wanted it.