35 Oscar Mercado RF

Mercado went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Wednesday's loss to the Cubs.

Mercado tied things up 2-2 with a solo blast off Jon Lester in the fifth inning. Unfortunately, the Indians came up short in extra innings. It was the first home run of the season for the 25-year-old, who's batting a dismal .152/.208/.212 across 28 games.

Mercado was recalled by Cleveland on Monday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Mercado played his way off the roster early this season, hitting a miserable .111/.167/.111 in 17 games. He's likely ticketed for a bench role upon his return, and he may not even last on the roster for very long, as he could make way for newly-acquired outfielder Josh Naylor once the deadline-day acquisition is ready to join the team.

Mercado was optioned to Cleveland's alternate training site Monday.

Mercado generated a fair amount of hype during draft season after hitting 15 homers and stealing 15 bases in 115 games as a rookie last season, though he was always going to need to perform to maintain consistent playing time in a crowded Cleveland outfield. He's done the opposite of perform, however, hitting .111/.167/.111 in 48 plate appearances, causing his playing time to dwindle and now evaporate completely. He could still play a role later this season if he sorts things out at the team's secondary training site, but it's hard to be too confident in him at this point.

Mercado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Mercado's slow start at the plate to begin the season had already begun to result in him fading into a reserve role last week, and his situation has taken a turn for the worse since Tyler Naquin (toe) returned from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Mercado will be on the bench for the sixth time in seven games, as Domingo Santana, Naquin and Delino DeShields form the Tribe's outfield.

Mercado isn't in the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs.

Mercado will take a seat in his third consecutive game in the series opener against the Cubs as he seems to be losing his grasp on a regular role in the Cleveland outfield. Delino DeShields is taking over in center field Tuesday.

Mercado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Off to a 5-for-41 start to the season while striking out in 30.2 percent of his plate appearances, Mercado's hold on a full-time role could be slipping. He'll now be on the bench for the second straight game while the Indians run out an outfield of Mike Freeman, Bradley Zimmer and Domingo Santana.

Mercado isn't starting Saturday against the White Sox.

Mercado had started in the past six contests, but he'll take a seat for the second game of the series against the White Sox. Delino DeShields will take over in center field and bat ninth.

Mercado is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Twins.

Mercado sits for the third time in Cleveland's first nine games. He's struggled at the plate thus far, grabbing just two hits in 22 at-bats. Bradley Zimmer starts in his place in center field.

Mercado is not in the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

It's not particularly surprising that Mercado won't start both halves of the doubleheader, but it's perhaps a concern in terms of his expected share of the playing time in Cleveland this season that he's now been on the bench for two of the team's first four games. Bradley Zimmer again gets the nod in center field.

Mercado is not in Sunday's lineup against the Royals.

He is 1-for-7 with a strikeout and an RBI through two games. Bradley Zimmer will get the start in center field and hit seventh.

Mercado is not expected to lead off this year, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

It sounds like Cesar Hernandez will lead off while Francisco Lindor bats third with Jose Ramirez and Carlos Santana hitting in the No. 2 and No. 4 spots in some order. That means Mercado could occupy a spot in the bottom half of the lineup this season, as Franmil Reyes seems unlikely to hit lower than fifth. This would be a pretty big blow to Mercado's fantasy value as he is likely to score less runs from the bottom of the order than from the leadoff spot.

Mercado (wrist) was locked in as the Indians' everyday center fielder when camp was suspended, MLB.com's Mandy Bell reports.

Mercado's status as the everyday center fielder is the most secure of any Indians outfielder, as Franmil Reyes will open in right field, but Mercado could also get starts at DH if Domingo Santana struggles. Tyler Naquin (knee) and Jordan Luplow could form a platoon in left field. While Mercado was dealing with a mild wrist sprain a few weeks ago, that should be a non-issue when play resumes.

Mercado's MRI confirmed a mild left wrist sprain and he is considered day-to-day, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

This is the best news we could have hoped for. Mercado probably won't play for at least a few days, but it sounds like being ready for Opening Day is a strong possibility. He will take the next couple days off before starting to do some light exercises to test the wrist.

Mercado will undergo an MRI on his left wrist Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Mercado was diagnosed with a sprained wrist after hurting himself on a diving catch Thursday. His expected return date should become clear following the MRI. The second-year player seemed to have a fairly safe role in a mess of an outfield situation in Cleveland, but if he's forced to open the year on the injured list, more opportunities would open up for some combination of Greg Allen, Jordan Luplow, Jake Bauers and Bradley Zimmer.

Mercado has been diagnosed with a sprained left wrist, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Mercado sustained the injury on a diving catch during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants. He's tentatively being listed as day-to-day but will undergo further evaluation Friday morning, at which point a more concrete timetable for his return should emerge.

Mercado exited Thursday's Cactus League game against the Giants with a potential wrist injury, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Mercado appeared to bend his wrist back while making a diving catch to end the fourth inning. The outfielder subsequently laid on the ground clutching his wrist in pain before being tended to by the team's medical staff. He'll likely head for further testing in the coming days to determine the severity of the injury, at which point a timetable for his return should emerge. Prior to suffering the injury and being replaced by Conner Marabell, Mercado went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer.

Mercado is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Mercado was supposed to receive Saturday off after the Indians were eliminated from playoff contention a day earlier, but he ended up going 0-for-3 off the bench after entering the contest as a defensive replacement for Franmil Reyes. The rookie may be in store for a proper day off as the Indians wrap up their season Sunday.

Mercado is not starting Saturday against Washington.

Mercado sits along with a large number of Cleveland regulars after the team was eliminated from the wild-card hunt with Friday's loss. Bradley Zimmer starts in center field.

Mercado went 1-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 11-0 win over the White Sox.

Mercado has left the yard in each of the Tribe's last three games and has driven in a run in five straight contests, with both streaks representing season-long marks. The rookie has two more games on tap against a weak White Sox pitching staff before closing out the regular season with a tougher three-game set versus the Nationals.

Mercado went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer and a walk in Sunday's win over Philadelphia.

Mercado's three-run shot to left field in the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie, and he later came around to score another run following a walk in the seventh inning. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a productive September, hitting .325 (25-for-77) with four homers and 16 RBI in 20 games. That has pushed the rookie's season slash line to .281/.330/.456, which he has complemented with 14 homers, 51 RBI and 15 steals in 109 games.