Mercado, who will turn 30 in December, has accumulated five seasons of Major League Baseball experience across stints with three different teams.

Hailing from Cartagena, Colombia, Mercado made a name for himself during his impressive rookie season with Cleveland in 2019. However, his performance dipped significantly during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and he has since struggled to secure a consistent starting role.

A right-handed hitter known for his solid defensive skills in center field, Mercado has also seen action in the other outfield positions. Throughout his career, he has shown a tendency to perform better against left-handed pitchers, making him a valuable platoon option for various teams.

Raised in Tampa, Florida, Mercado was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He was traded to Cleveland in 2018, where he spent a significant portion of his career.

In 2022, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed Mercado off waivers from Cleveland, but the Guardians reclaimed him just eight days later. Following the season, Mercado became a free agent and re-signed with the Cardinals, his original team. Last year, he had brief appearances with St. Louis but primarily played for Triple-A affiliates in Memphis (Cardinals), Oklahoma City (Dodgers), and El Paso (Padres).

This season, Mercado played most of his games with El Paso before opting out of his contract about three weeks ago to become a free agent.

The Mud Hens, the Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate, needed additional depth following the recent promotions of players like Jace Jung, Trey Sweeney, Spencer Torkelson, and Ryan Kreidler. Mercado’s signing provides much-needed reinforcement for the Toledo roster