The Cleveland Indians optioned struggling outfielder Oscar Mercado to their alternate training site after Sunday's 8-5 win over the Tigers, the team announced Monday.
Mercado, 25, is hitting just .111 with three RBIs and has a .278 OPS in 45 at-bats this season. He has started in the outfield for 13 of the Indians' 22 games.
Last season, he hit .269 with 15 home runs, 54 RBIs and 15 stolen bases and had a .761 OPS in 438 at-bats.
The Indians (13-9) are in second place in the American League Central, one game behind the Minnesota Twins.