The Miami Marlins are getting reliever Zach McCambley back after the Phillies returned the former Rule-5 draft pick ahead of Opening Day.
The Miami Marlins are bringing back Zach McCambley after the Philadelphia Phillies decided not to include the right-hander reliever on their Opening Day roster, bringing an end to his brief Rule-5 stint and returning him to the organization that drafted and developed him, Fish on First reported Sunday.
For Miami, this is the type of move that may not make headlines right away, but could be significant later in the season. McCambley was always an intriguing Rule 5 candidate because his stuff and 2025 production indicated that he could eventually help in a major-league bullpen. The challenge was that Philadelphia, a contender with a deeper relief corps and less patience for big league development, was never an easy fit for him.
McCambley's spring numbers for the Phillies were mixed. He only allowed one earned run in 7.1 Grapefruit League innings, which appears to be a strong performance.
However, the underlying command issues proved difficult to ignore. He walked six batters, struck out four, and threw only 55.3 percent of his pitches as strikes. That is typically insufficient for a Rule-5 reliever attempting to secure a low-margin bullpen spot.
The Marlins are far better positioned to be patient. McCambley has a history with the organization and, more importantly, demonstrated significant progress in 2025. He pitched 62 innings of relief in Double-A and Triple-A, posting a 2.90 ERA and 2.60 FIP. His 24.3 K-BB percentage was the best of his professional career, indicating his stuff was performing at a high level.
That's why this return feels more significant than a simple roster change. Miami is not receiving an afterthought. The club is getting back a reliever who may have been squeezed by circumstances rather than talent.
McCambley's arsenal, which includes a four-seam fastball, cutter, and sweeper, give him a solid foundation for a quick return to the Marlins' upper-level bullpen. The most likely next step is a return to Triple-A Jacksonville, where he can continue to improve his command and prepare for an opportunity.
If he throws more strikes and stays healthy, McCambley has a real chance to make his major league debut in Miami before the 2026 season ends. For a Marlins team still looking for controllable bullpen help, getting him back could be a game-changer.
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