Nardi (rib cage) lands on 15-day IL as rookie Kempner recalled
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NEW YORK – The Marlins placed left-handed reliever Andrew Nardi on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Thursday) with a left rib cage stress reaction ahead of Saturday’s game against the Mets at Citi Field.
Miami recalled rookie righty William Kempner as the corresponding roster move.
Nardi, who has a 5.16 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9 and 10.7 K/9 in 25 outings this season, last pitched on Wednesday against the Blue Jays. In a season-high-tying 1 1/3 innings, he surrendered the decisive solo homer in the sixth.
The 27-year-old Nardi has already thrown 22 2/3 frames in 2026 after missing all of ‘25 with recurring back trouble and having his ‘24 cut short by a left elbow muscle injury (49 2/3 innings). It wasn’t until this past Spring Training that Nardi felt good enough to take the mound in game action, and then showed enough to round out the Opening Day roster.
Miami’s bullpen features two other southpaw options in his absence: veteran John King (1.93 ERA in 26 appearances) and second-year player Cade Gibson (8.59 ERA in five outings).
Kempner became the second rookie reliever recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville this weekend, joining righty Josh Ekness (corresponding roster move for Eury Pérez).
Protected from the Rule 5 Draft this past offseason, Kempner made his Major League debut earlier this month. He tossed a perfect inning on eight pitches against the Orioles on May 5 at loanDepot park. In 19 games for Triple-A Jacksonville, Kempner had a 4.56 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, but a 16.1 K/9 rate and five saves.