Marlins Add Firepower to Bullpen With Trade for Victor Vodnik

The Miami Marlins strengthened their bullpen for the stretch run by acquiring right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik from the Colorado Rockies on Monday in the final minutes before the MLB trade deadline, adding another power arm capable of handling high-leverage innings as games tighten during the final weeks of the season.

The trade sent infielder Connor Norby and pitching prospect Aiden May to Colorado. 

For a club looking to stay competitive down the stretch, Vodnik represents the type of addition that can change the complexion of a bullpen.

“Just a whirlwind of emotions,” Vodnik told a group of reporters in the clubhouse before the start of a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

The Marlins added Vodnik to the active roster Tuesday as part of a flurry of roster moves that included recalling catcher Agustín Ramírez from Triple-A Jacksonville.

He made his debut with the Marlins on Tuesday in the bottom of the eighth inning, throwing 26 pitches, reaching a max velocity of 99.5 mph and allowing a hit, an earned run on a wild pitch, a walk, a hit batter and a strikeout of Ozzie Albies.

The 26-year-old brings a combination of velocity, experience and swing-and-miss ability that gives Miami more flexibility when navigating the toughest parts of its schedule.

Miami lost an arm in its bullpen Monday, as right-hander Lake Bachar was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the closing seconds of the deadline in exchange for three Pittsburgh minor league prospects.

So in comes Vodnik, and out goes Bachar.

Vodnik’s fastball remains the foundation of his success, averaging 98.6 mph on his four-seam fastball, according to Baseball Savant.

The right-hander can generate significant velocity with his four-seam fastball, allowing him to challenge hitters at the top of the strike zone and create swings and misses.

Vodnik's slider, which he has thrown 26% of the time this season at an average velocity of 88.5 mph, gives him a second weapon capable of generating strikeouts and weak contact, especially against hitters sitting on his fastball.

The pitch’s late movement allows him to attack both sides of the plate and prevents opponents from simply waiting for velocity.

Vodnik has spent time developing in a challenging pitching environment with the Rockies, where every mistake can be magnified at Coors Field.

That experience has helped him build confidence and learn how to compete through difficult situations.

Now, with a new opportunity in Miami, the Marlins hope his raw stuff can translate into more consistent results in a different setting.

Instead of leaning heavily on the same late-inning relievers every night, the Marlins can use Vodnik to create more favorable matchups, manage workloads and keep their top bullpen arms fresh for the all-important games in September.