Blalock, Pauley recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville as rosters expand

KANSAS CITY – The Marlins recalled right-hander Bradley Blalock and infielder Graham Pauley from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday as part of September's roster expansion from 26 to 28 players.

Blalock, whom the Marlins acquired from the Rockies for pitching prospect Jake Brooks in January, has yet to debut with the club. Intended to be part of the organization’s pitching depth, Blalock instead remained with the Jumbo Shrimp, posting a 5.61 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP in 23 starts.

When Miami picked up Blalock, the organization believed moving him away from Coors Field and the Pacific Coast League would lead to better results, especially with his pitch shapes. Blalock is not relying on his fastball as much as before, as he grows confidence in throwing all of his pitches -- from the slider, cutter, hard curveball and kick change -- in any count.

"It was just waiting my time, kind of being in the present down in Jacksonville and being with the guys and competing day in day out with them," Blalock said. "I've been up here, so I kind of know what it takes to get back up here, and just helping the younger guys learn and go in the right direction to get up here, too."

The 25-year-old Blalock has 21 games (18 starts) in the big leagues from 2024-25 with the Brewers and Rockies. He has a career 8.16 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP, with more hits (120) than innings (89 1/3) and nearly as many walks (43) as strikeouts (47).

"We're excited to see how Bradley potentially looks out of the bullpen in maybe a longer-role-type capacity there," manager Clayton McCullough said. "So I think that's kind of how at least initially [we are] looking to use him, give us some length out of the bullpen, because he has been starting all year in Jacksonville."

Miami started Pauley, who has no remaining Minor League options this season, at third base for Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. With Xavier Edwards sidelined, Javier Sanoja will slide over from the hot corner to second base to fill in for him.

A member of the Opening Day roster, the left-handed-hitting Pauley has hit just .194/.228/.306 with nine doubles and one homer in 115 MLB plate appearances while shuttling back and forth between the Majors and Minors this season.

According to McCullough, Sanoja will play on a daily basis. Jared Serna will get his first Major League start this series, while Leo Jiménez will also factor in. All three are right-handed bats.

"We'll just kind of continue to give some of those guys some opportunity here," McCullough said. "Just looking at now, again, each day or going into a series how the rest of the pieces all fit together."