DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have signed outfielder Oscar Mercado to a minor league contract and sent him to Triple-A Toledo.
Mercado, who turns 30 in December, has played parts of five seasons in the major leagues for three different clubs.
The player, who hails from Cartagena (Colombia), is best known for his outstanding rookie season with Cleveland in 2019. However, he struggled in the COVID-shortened 2020 season and has never been able to secure a permanent place in the starting lineup since then.
The right-hander was rated as an above-average defender, at least early in his career, as a center fielder and has plenty of experience at the other two outfield positions. He also had better numbers against left-handed pitchers, making him a platoon option in some of his stoppages.
Mercado grew up in Tampa, Florida, and was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013. He was traded to Cleveland in 2018.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected Mercado from Cleveland’s waivers list in 2022, but the Guardians brought him back just eight days later.
Mercado became a free agent after the season and re-signed with his original team, the Cardinals. He played briefly in St. Louis last year, but spent most of his time shuttling between Triple-A affiliates in Memphis (Cardinals), Oklahoma City (Dodgers) and El Paso (Padres).
He played most of this season in El Paso before exercising an opt-out clause and becoming a free agent about three weeks ago.
The Mud Hens needed reinforcements after the recent promotions of Jace Jung, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson and Ryan Kreidler.
