As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for the final game of their series against the Chicago Cubs, the team has opted to make a key adjustment to their bullpen, which has struggled through the early part of the season.
Announced via their official Twitter/X account, the Phillies have promoted right-handed pitcher Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In a corresponding move, Carlos Hernandez has been designated for assignment (DFA) to open a roster spot. Hernandez had joined Philadelphia just before the 2025 season commenced after being DFA’d by the Kansas City Royals.
Hernandez’s time in a Phillies uniform featured moderate results. Over 25.2 innings, he posted a 5.26 ERA and recorded 23 strikeouts. While not ineffective, he never developed into a crucial asset in the bullpen. He wasn’t typically relied upon in high-pressure situations and didn’t register any saves during his stint. Essentially, while serviceable, Hernandez wasn’t seen as an indispensable piece of the pitching staff.
To replace him, the Phillies turn to Michael Mercado, who brings both youth and potential to the team. Though Mercado’s prior stint in the majors during the 2024 season was rocky—he appeared in five games (two of them starts), compiling an 11.08 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP over 13 innings—he has shown signs of improvement this year at the minor league level.
So far in the 2025 Triple-A season, Mercado has made 17 appearances and pitched 20.1 innings, tallying a 5.31 ERA, a 2-0 record, and 22 strikeouts while issuing 8 walks. Although his ERA is still relatively high, his performance indicates growth, particularly when it comes to his control and strikeout rate.
The Phillies’ decision seems influenced not just by the marginal difference in numbers between the two pitchers but by a focus on potential upside. At 26 years old, Mercado is two years younger than Hernandez and is considered to have more room for development. His promotion suggests that Philadelphia is looking for bullpen options that can evolve into more reliable contributors as the season progresses.
This move signals the Phillies’ ongoing effort to fine-tune a bullpen that has underwhelmed so far in 2025. While neither Hernandez nor Mercado has yet proven to be a major impact arm at the MLB level, the team is clearly hoping that Mercado’s potential will translate into stronger outings and possibly help stabilize the relief corps in the long run.
With Mercado now back on the Major League roster, the Phillies will be closely watching his performance to see if he can bring more consistency to the bullpen and make the most of this second chance.
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