Óscar Mercado will become first Phillies player since Cole Hamels to wear No. 35
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 Phillies player 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 Phillies player has worn the No. 35, though former bullpen coach Jim Gott did wear it from 2018-2020. Mercado did wear that number during his four seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, so it’s not surprising that he wanted it.
Seven players in team history have their numbers retired; Richie Ashburn (No. 1), Jim Bunning (No. 14), Dick Allen (No. 15), Mike Schmidt (No. 20), Steve Carlton (No. 32), Roy Halladay (No. 34) and Robin Roberts (No. 36).
The Phillies have not yet reissued the numbers worn by Jimmy Rollins (No. 11), Ryan Howard (No. 6) and Chase Utley (No. 26). Hamels now joins a list that includes Carlos Ruiz (No. 51), Brad Lidge (No. 54) and Cliff Lee (No. 33) of popular Phillies from the 2007-2011 golden era that have had their numbers reissued.
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