Phillies acquire right-handed pitcher in trade with Rays

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday evening that they have completed a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In the deal, the Phillies acquired RHP Michael Mercado from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Adam Leverett and cash considerations.

Mercado was a second-round pick by the Rays in 2017, but has yet to make his Major League Debut. The 24-year-old posted a 4.79 ERA in 52 games between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham in 2023. 50 of his appearances came in relief.

The Phillies have selected Mercado’s contract and added him to the Major League roster. Currently, 38 of the team’s spots on their 40-man roster are filled.

Leverett was a 15th-round selection by the Phillies in the 2019 MLB Draft out of Gordon State College in Georgia. He went 0-6 with a 3.95 ERA across 64 innings for Double-A Reading in 2023, making eight starts and 35 total appearances.

Earlier in the day, the Phillies claimed lefty Josh Fleming off of waivers from the Rays in a separate transaction.

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