With the Philadelphia Eagles set to hit Broad Street for their Super Bowl parade on Friday morning, the Phillies made some less significant news by announcing the addition of two players to spring training in Clearwater, Fla.
Former top infield prospect Christian Arroyo and outfielder Óscar Mercado will join major-league camp as non-roster invitees, the Phillies said. Both are former high draft picks that have played in the big leagues for multiple teams. Mercado previously played with the Phillies in 2022.
Arroyo, 29, was a first-round selection by the Giants in 2013 and has a career .693 OPS in seven seasons with San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Boston. He was a contributor for the Red Sox in 2021 and 2022, but he’s dealt with injuries throughout his career. Arroyo spent the 2024 season in the Brewers organization and was limited to only 37 minor-league games.
Mercado, 30, was a second-round Cleveland pick in 2013 and made his debut with the club in 2019. He appeared in one game for the Phillies in the summer of 2022, then played for the Cardinals in 2023. Mercado has a career .677 OPS in five major-league seasons. He was in the minor leagues for the Padres and Tigers organizations last year.
Although neither player seems likely to break camp with the Phillies, Arroyo and Mercado could be helpful depth pieces at Triple-A Lehigh Valley if they remain in the organization.
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