Five umpires receive promotions to the Major League staff

Major League Baseball today announced that three new umpires have been promoted to the full-time Major League staff, joining two other hires that occurred in 2024. The newest members promoted in 2025 are Paul Clemons, Emil Jiménez, and Alex MacKay, who join 2024 appointments Dan Merzel and Nate Tomlinson in approaching their first Spring Training and Opening Day as members of the full-time staff:

• Paul Clemons worked 249 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his 2025 promotion. The Kansas native first began to work Major League assignments during Spring Training and an Alternate Site in 2020. Paul, who became a Minor League umpire in 2011, will be a part of Adrian Johnson’s crew in 2025.
• Emil Jiménez worked 246 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his 2025 promotion. The Venezuela native first began to work Major League Spring Training in 2023. Emil will be a part of Doug Eddings’ crew in 2025. Emil’s brother Edwin is a current Minor League Umpire and call-up umpire who has worked Major League games.
• Alex MacKay worked 262 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his 2025 promotion. The Colorado native first began to work with Major Leaguers before the regular season at an Alternate Site in 2020 and then worked 2021 Major League Spring Training. Alex, who became a Minor League umpire in 2012, will be a part of Alan Porter’s crew in 2025.
• Dan Merzel worked 452 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his 2024 promotion. He first began to work Major League Spring Training in 2017. Dan, who became a Minor League umpire in 2011, will be a part of Mark Carlson’s crew in 2025.
• Nate Tomlinson worked 303 Major League games as a call-up umpire prior to his 2024 promotion. He first began to work with Major Leaguers before the regular season at an Alternate Site in 2020 and was assigned to 2022 Major League Spring Training. Nate, who became a Minor League umpire in 2011, will be a part of Mark Wegner’s crew in 2025.

Retirements following the 2024 season included crew chiefs Paul Emmel, Jerry Layne, and Larry Vanover:

• Paul Emmel compiled more than 25 years of experience as a Major League Umpire, serving as a crew chief since 2017. The Michigan native worked the 2013 World Series and was behind the plate for Justin Verlander’s 2019 no-hitter at Toronto. He worked the Semi-Finals and Finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Paul was an instructor at MLB’s inaugural Umpire Camps in 2006. He retired from the MLB Umpiring staff during the 2024 season due to various medical issues.
• Jerry Layne was MLB’s senior-most umpire for his last three seasons, credited with 36 years of Major League service since 1989. During the 2024 season, Layne did not work games on the field but served as a Replay Official periodically. Jerry was behind the plate for Game Three of the 2005 World Series at Houston, spanning 14 innings and 482 pitches; for Fernando Valenzuela’s 1990 no-hitter; and for Barry Bonds’ record-breaking 71^st home run in 2001.
• Larry Vanover assembled 32 years of Major League service, with assignments including the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park, the 2013 Midsummer Classic at Citi Field, and the historic 2016 World Series won by the Chicago Cubs. The Kentucky native made the first call in the history of expanded instant replay in 2014, confirming an out call from MLB’s Replay Operations Center in the top of the fifth inning of the Cubs-Pirates Opening Day game. Larry’s 2014 regular season concluded with plate duties for Derek Jeter’s final game on September 28, 2014 at Fenway.

Major League Umpires Vic Carapazza, Doug Eddings, and Andy Fletcher have been named to the crew chief positions vacated by Emmel, Layne, and Vanover. Eddings is a 26-year Major League Umpire, Fletcher has 25.5 years of Major League experience, and Carapazza has 14 years as a Major League Umpire.

In addition, 21 umpires have been selected to work 2025 Major League Spring Training: