When the MLB non tender deadline passed, November twenty one, the Philadelphia Phillies chose to tender contracts to all of their arbitration eligible players for the 2026 season. The unexpected moves came with right handers Michael Mercado and Daniel Robert, who were not offered contracts despite not being arbitration eligible. The decision made it clear the Phillies were looking to open space on their forty man roster.
But Mercado’s departure was short lived. After being non tendered and officially becoming a free agent, he found his way back to the organization only a few days later. Rather than exploring options elsewhere, he returned to Philadelphia on a minor league deal that mostly slipped under the radar.
Phillies bring back Michael Mercado after non tender decision
According to Steve Potter of Phillies – A Fan’s View, Mercado and the Phillies agreed to the minor league contract on November twenty four. Moves like this are common. Once the Phillies cleared the roster spot, they were free to bring the twenty six year old back without filling valuable space on the forty man list.
Philadelphia originally acquired Mercado from the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2023. Although inconsistent with his control, he posted a strong two point zero seven ERA at Triple A Lehigh Valley in 2024. That performance earned him a promotion in June. He debuted with an impressive one inning relief outing, then followed it with a five inning start allowing just one run to collect his first major league win. For a brief stretch, he appeared to be a contender to push Taijuan Walker out of the fifth starter role.
However, the momentum did not last. Over his next three games, Mercado gave up fifteen runs across seven innings, which abruptly ended his initial big league stint.
He later received another opportunity in the bullpen this season but surrendered five runs in three innings, finishing with four strikeouts and four walks. He spent the remainder of the year back in Triple A, where he recorded a four point five nine ERA and a one point six three WHIP in forty nine innings, again held back by a walk rate of nearly thirteen percent.
Mercado once ranked among MLB Pipeline’s top thirty Phillies prospects, but his status slipped as the season progressed.
Still, the Phillies are willing to give him another chance, likely as bullpen depth going into next year. Over the long grind of a six month MLB season, unexpected opportunities always arise, and Mercado could find himself with one more chance to prove he is worth keeping in the organization.