After a disastrous start against Philadelphia, the Marlins cut ties with their struggling $4 million right-hander.
MIAMI — Apparently a lot can change in a day.
After declaring support for the status quo on Sunday, the Miami Marlins have reportedly designated Chris Paddack for assignment. News of the transactions was first reported by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and confirmed by MLB.com.
Paddack signed with the Marlins for $4 million to provide a stable veteran presence in the starting rotation this season. Miami has lost every game he started and the one game the Marlins won with Paddack involved a bulk relief appearance against the New York Yankees on April 5.
Paddack has a 7.63 ERA and 5.00 FIP in 30 ⅔ innings pitched through a season he described as a “roller coaster.”
“It definitely sucks," Paddack said on Sunday. "I feel like this year I haven't been able to allow things to continue over. Right when we think we're getting in a good place, I get hit in the mouth again.”
This past Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies was his worst start. He lasted just 2.2 innings with seven runs on six hits allowed with three walks and a single strikeout. Six of his seven runs came in the first inning, dooming the Fish before the Phillies starting pitcher ever took the mound.
After reviewing the footage of his performance, it was clear what the problem was. His fastball velocity dropped to 91.3 mph and the credibility of his changeup sank with it.
“I felt like I never could get into a groove,” Paddack said. “I noticed I was pulling some fastballs early. Never drove any fastballs to the bottom of the zone. They were able to lay off some changeups below.”
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Marlins looked to see if that was cause for a stint in the injured list on Monday, which is the roster transaction version of having your cake and eating it too. However, they did not find anything to justify such a stint.
The Marlins are on the hook for the remainder of Paddack’s $4 million salary unless another team claims him off waivers.
According to MLB.com, the Marlins will call up right-handed reliever William Kempner from Triple-A Jacksonville to fill Paddack’s spot in the roster, giving the bullpen a fresh arm leading up to a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.
Kempner has struck out 34 batters over 15.1 innings, but he also allowed 11 runs during his time with the Jumbo Shrimp. The Marlins will have to call up a starting pitcher for Friday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
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