The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday.

The Phillies recalled Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Mercado is expected to serve as a bulk reliever behind opening pitcher Orion Kerkering in Sunday's game against the Athletics, Tim Kelly of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Mercado will move back to the Phillies' bullpen, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mercado (1-1) took the loss Sunday against Atlanta. He allowed five runs on five hits, three walks and a strikeout over 1.2 innings.

Mercado is scheduled to start Sunday's game in Atlanta.

Mercado (1-0) picked up the win Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out four batters over five innings.

Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday's game that Mercado would likely join the rotation if Spencer Turnbull (lat) needed to miss time, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.