The San Diego Padres signed free-agent outfielder Oscar Mercado to a minor-league deal. Mercado will report to spring training in 2024 hoping to impress the coaching staff and earn a reserve outfield role on the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old Colombian played in only 20 games at the major-league level in 2023 with the St. Louis Cardinals, going 9-for-31 (.290) with no homers, five RBI and two stolen bases. He was solid on the farm with three different the Triple-A organizations of the Cardinals, Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, too, and will have a legitimate shot at earning a bench role in San Diego given their lack of outfield depth at the moment. In his five seasons in the big leagues since debuting in 2019 with the Cleveland Guardians, Mercado has slashed .237/.289/.388 with 26 home runs, 100 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 298 career games.

San Diego Padres outfielder Oscar Mercado has opted out of his minor-league deal with the club and is now a free agent eligible to sign with any club. The 28-year-old enjoyed a fairly promising debut season as a 24-year-old with Cleveland in the 2019 season, hitting 15 homers and swiping 15 bases across 115 games. However, Mercado has since struggled in the big leagues and posted a .700 OPS across 32 plate appearances with the Cardinals this season. However, Mercado also hit .339 with 10 HR, 10 SB, and a 1.068 OPS across 31 games with Triple-A El Paso after inking a minor-league pact with the Friars, figures that could potentially generate interest from big-league clubs down the stretch.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Mercado emerged with three knocks, two stolen bases, and three runs scored from a seesaw 16-8 triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. The 28-year-old has bounced around in the major leagues a bit since a promising 2019 campaign with the Cleveland Guardians, but Mercado's first start in a Cardinals uniform couldn't have gone much better. The right-hander should maintain some form of platoon role with lefty batters Lars Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan only while the club is so banged up, that is. Even so, Mercado is slashing just .205/.262/.336 in 425 at-bats since 2020. Leave him on fantasy waivers outside of the deepest of settings.

In a strange, cyclical turn of events, outfielder Oscar Mercado is a member of the Cleveland Guardians once again. The Guardians claimed him off waivers on Sunday after the Philadelphia Phillies designated him for assignment. The Phillies had previously acquired Mercado after the Guardians designated him for assignment about two weeks back. Mercado appeared in just one game for the Phillies prior to being DFA'd. The 27-year-old will likely be a reserve outfielder for the Guardians once again. During his first stint with the Guardians this year, he slashed .202/.227/.377 over 49 games.

The Cleveland Guardians designated outfielder Oscar Mercado for assignment on Tuesday. The move was made to clear space for fellow outfielder Franmil Reyes (hamstring), who is being activated from the injured list on Tuesday. Mercado had been in the midst of a rough season offensively. Over 49 games, he slashed .202/.227/.377 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs. He managed just two stolen bases on four attempts. Mercado flashed a ton of promise as a rookie in 2019, when he compiled 15 homers and 15 steals over 115 games while batting .269, but he's struggled to find consistency at the plate since then.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Texas Rangers. It was a solid night for Mercado who is hitting just .233 with 26 base hits in August. He is not currently fantasy-relevant despite the solid output Wednesday and should remain on the waiver wire.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado went 4-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Wednesday night's 8-6 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was a solid night for Mercado who has been underwhelming on the season as noted by his .250/.318/.400 slash line. That being said, he has warmed up a bit in the past week by posting a .778 OPS across his previous 24 at-bats. He should continue to remain on the waiver wire until he can perform consistently or until he starts adding a stolen base element to his game.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Daniel Johnson had a better spring training than any of Cleveland's outfielders, and all it did was get him sent to to the minor leagues. Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Friday as the Indians moved closer to finalizing their opening-day roster with a move that was tough on several fronts. With the Indians looking to fill spots in right and center field, the 25-year-old Johnson performed as well as any of the outfielders competing by batting .368 (7 for 19) with two homers and four RBIs in nine Cactus League games. Unlike some of the other outfielders in camp, however, Johnson still has options and because he didn't have a full minor league season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indians want him to get some extra work at all three outfield spots. “He had a really good camp,” manager Terry Francona said. "And he was very disappointed and we knew that was going to be the case. With the way spring training is right now and has been, and the amount of... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Outfielder Billy Hamilton won't make Cleveland's roster, and the Indians are trying to find him another team this spring. Manager Terry Francona said the club told Hamilton on Thursday that he wasn't part of their plans. The Indians will try to trade the 30-year-old, who signed a minor league contract last month and has been at big league training camp. “We just felt, out of respect to Billy, because of being the veteran he is and being the really good veteran that he is, we didn’t think it was right to ask him to get on a bus and back up guys if we knew he wasn’t gonna be on the team.” Francona said during a Zoom call from Arizona. “He was a pro’s pro. He’s such a good kid and we’ll certainly attempt to help him land somewhere. That’s why we did it this quickly.” Hamilton had his best seasons with Cincinnati from 2013-18. He stole at least 56 bases four straight seasons. He spent last season with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. Hamilton had been competing for one of... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Gamel is being given a shot to win one of the Indians' open outfield jobs. Cleveland and Gamel agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, and he was invited to big league spring training camp. The 27-year-old has played 442 major league games for the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers. Gamel's agreement came a week after the Indians gave former Minnesota slugger Eddie Rosario to an $8 million, one-year contract. Rosario will get one of Cleveland's starting outfield spots, but the other two appear up for grabs. Gamel spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee. Last year he batted .237 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games. He had his best season with Seattle in 2017, when he hit .275 with 11 homers and drove in 59 runs. Gamel will compete in Arizona with Jake Bauers, Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Luplow and Josh Naylor for a roster spot as the Indians look to improve an outfield that has been woefully unproductive in recent years. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ben Gamel is being given a shot to win one of the Indians' open outfield jobs. Cleveland and Gamel agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday, and he was invited to big league spring training camp. The 27-year-old has played 442 major league games for the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers. Gamel's agreement came a week after the Indians gave former Minnesota slugger Eddie Rosario to an $8 million, one-year contract. Rosario will get one of Cleveland's starting outfield spots, but the other two appear up for grabs. Gamel spent the past two seasons with Milwaukee. Last year he batted .237 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games. He had his best season with Seattle in 2017, when he hit .275 with 11 homers and drove in 59 runs. Gamel will compete in Arizona with Jake Bauers, Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Luplow and Josh Naylor for a roster spot as the Indians look to improve an outfield that has been woefully unproductive in recent years. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor. Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams. Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run. At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988. San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August. Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season. Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers became the first team to clinch a playoff spot in the pandemic-shortened season, beating the San Diego Padres 7-5 Wednesday behind Dustin May’s gutty effort out of the bullpen and home runs from AJ Pollock and Chris Taylor.Will Smith drove in three runs for the seven-time defending NL West champion Dodgers, who opened a 3 1/2-game lead in the division by winning two of three in the matchup of the NL’s two best teams.Mookie Betts tied his career high with three stolen bases, had two hits and scored a run.At 35-15, the Dodgers breezed into the expanded 16-team postseason field. Los Angeles is seeking its first World Series title since 1988.San Diego has lost two straight for the first time since mid-August.Manny Machado hit a solo homer in the eighth, his 14th of the season.Starter Brusdar Gasterol allowed a hit and a run in 1 1/3 innings before Adam Kolarek (3-0) allowed a hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. Pedro Baez got the final two... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor walks. Delino DeShields out on a sacrifice bunt to shallow infield, Kris Bryant to Anthony Rizzo. Francisco Lindor to second. Jose Ramirez singles to shallow right field. Francisco Lindor to third. Carlos Santana lines out to shortstop to Javier Baez. Franmil Reyes strikes out swinging.1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 1, Cubs 0.Cubs second. Kyle Schwarber walks. Javier Baez singles to center field, tagged out at second, Delino DeShields to Jose Ramirez to Yu Chang. Kyle Schwarber to third. Jason Heyward singles to shallow center field. Kyle Schwarber scores. Cameron Maybin reaches on a fielder's choice to shallow center field. Jason Heyward to third. Fielding error by Jose Ramirez. Nico Hoerner grounds out to third base. Cameron Maybin out at second.1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 left on. Indians 1, Cubs 1.Cubs fourth. Willson Contreras hit by pitch. Kyle Schwarber strikes out swinging. Javier Baez reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop, advances... [More]

Indians first. Francisco Lindor singles to center field. Cesar Hernandez singles to shallow infield. Francisco Lindor to second. Jose Ramirez strikes out swinging. Carlos Santana singles to left field, advances to 2nd. Cesar Hernandez to third. Francisco Lindor scores. Throwing error by Eddie Rosario. Franmil Reyes called out on strikes. Tyler Naquin strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 left on. Indians 1, Twins 0.Indians third. Francisco Lindor singles to shallow left field. Cesar Hernandez singles to right field. Francisco Lindor to second. Jose Ramirez strikes out on a foul tip. Carlos Santana singles to shallow right field. Cesar Hernandez to third. Francisco Lindor scores. Franmil Reyes out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Max Kepler. Cesar Hernandez scores. Tyler Naquin grounds out to shallow infield, Jorge Polanco to Miguel Sano.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Indians 3, Twins 0.Twins third. LaMonte Wade Jr. walks. Marwin Gonzalez homers to right field. LaMonte... [More]

Twins second. Miguel Sano flies out to center field to Delino DeShields. Brent Rooker doubles. Byron Buxton pops out to Carlos Santana. Marwin Gonzalez homers to right field. Brent Rooker scores. Willians Astudillo homers to left field. Jorge Polanco lines out to deep center field to Delino DeShields.3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Twins 3, Indians 0.Indians fourth. Jose Ramirez homers to left field. Carlos Santana doubles to deep right center field. Franmil Reyes flies out to deep center field to Byron Buxton. Carlos Santana to third. Jordan Luplow walks. Oscar Mercado out on a sacrifice fly to deep right field to Brent Rooker. Carlos Santana scores. Roberto Perez called out on strikes.2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 left on. Twins 3, Indians 2.Twins fourth. Miguel Sano strikes out swinging. Brent Rooker hit by pitch. Byron Buxton homers to center field. Jake Cave scores. Marwin Gonzalez singles to deep right field, tagged out at second, Jordan Luplow to Francisco Lindor. Willians Astudillo... [More]