Miami Marlins Make Roster Move as They Look for Pitching Help
The Miami Marlins have had to ask for a LOT from their relievers so far this season.
Owing to two extra innings games in the opening series as well as abbreviated outings from starters A.J. Puk and Ryan Weathers (six combined innings), Miami's bullpen has had to cover twenty-four innings across the first four games of the season.
Because of the high pitch counts for everyone in the bullpen, Miami's making a roster move, calling up lefty reliever Kent Emanuel from AAA Jacksonville prior to today's game.
Emanuel, 31, signed with Miami in early February after spending last season in the minor leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He last pitched in the majors in 2021, going 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA in ten relief outings. Pitching 17.2 innings, Emanuel struck out 13 and walked only four, but also allowed four home runs.
This spring, Emanuel pitched in four games, going 3.2 innings, allowing eight runs (six earned) on nine hits, walking three and striking out five. He also allowed two home runs, finishing with a WHIP of 3.273 in an extremely small sample size.
Emanuel takes the roster spot of Vladimir Gutierrez, who was designated for assignment. Called up on Sunday prior to that afternoon's game, Gutierrez pitched four innings in yesterday's game, allowing three runs on three hits.
With Gutierrez being designated for assignment, Miami could potentially lose the reliever. Over the next week, Miami will need to either trade him, attempt to pass him through outright waivers, or release him.
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)