MIAMI -- Sports is a performance-based industry, so when veteran right-hander Chris Paddack struggled to begin his Marlins career, the organization made the decision to designate him for assignment on Tuesday.
With Paddack’s rotation spot coming up Friday night against the Nationals at loanDepot park, lefties Braxton Garrett and Robby Snelling (Marlins No. 2 prospect, No. 33 overall) are two of Miami’s top options. As of pregame Tuesday, manager Clayton McCullough said nothing was set in stone.
Selected in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Marlins but dealt 12 months later, the 30-year-old Paddack had been vocal about finally putting on a Miami uniform. Paddack, whom the Marlins signed at the start of Spring Training to a one-year, $4 million contract, saw his ERA rise to 7.63 -- second highest among MLB pitchers with at least six starts (Boston’s Brayan Bello, 9.12) -- after Sunday’s loss to the Phillies, in which he allowed six runs in the first inning.
Miami fell to 0-6 in Paddack’s first six starts this season, marking just the fourth time in franchise history that has happened to a newcomer. His 9.00 ERA through six starts was the third highest. Following the game, McCullough said Paddack would make his next start.
"This does become a performance-based environment," McCullough said Tuesday. "We feel like we have a good team. We feel like we have a lot of really solid depth that's not here right now. And when there's others that are performing that are making it tough to not give the Major League opportunity you're looking for, what are some ways that we can upgrade our team and give us a better chance to win games right now while also certainly still keeping an eye on the future? So I think right now with Chris, that was what it came more down to."
The Marlins elected to eat up the rest of Paddack's contract rather than keep him around in some capacity just because they signed him as a free agent. Last year, the organization waited until August to outright veteran righty Cal Quantrill, who compiled a 5.50 ERA – seventh highest among Major Leaguers with at least 100 innings thrown – and a 1.39 WHIP in 24 starts. But after posting an 8.10 ERA through his first six starts, he found his footing with a 3.55 ERA over his next 15.
In Paddack's place, the Marlins will likely turn to one of two dueling lefties at Triple-A Jacksonville: Garrett or Snelling.
Garrett, who lost out on a rotation spot while working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has the second-lowest ERA (1.71) and the lowest WHIP (0.68) in the International League through five starts. Across a three-start span, he tossed 16 consecutive hitless innings, which included a no-no on April 21.
The 28-year-old Garrett also has a proven track record. Prior to an injury-plagued 2024 campaign, Garrett compiled a 3.63 ERA in 48 games (47 starts) from 2022-23.
Snelling isn’t on the 40-man roster, but there is an open spot after Paddack’s DFA. The 22-year-old has a 1.86 ERA (third lowest), a 0.90 WHIP (third lowest) and 44 strikeouts (tied for the most) in six starts.
"We feel like right now as an organization, we have a lot of really talented players, we do, and not all of them are here right now," McCullough said. "And so having that type of quality that could potentially come impact our team shows the health of our organization, and again, where we're at with trying to win as many Major League games here in the near term, as we can."
There are still 127 games remaining in the regular season, and after slow starts from the division rival Phillies and Mets, the chase for a postseason spot is a little more open.
Until Friday’s spot in the rotation comes up, the Marlins recalled prospect William Kempner to provide a fresh arm in the bullpen.
Acquired from the Giants in January 2025 in a trade for international bonus pool money, the 24-year-old Kempner put together a standout first season with the organization (2.26 ERA across three Minor League levels). Miami rewarded him by protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft over the offseason.
Through 12 appearances at Triple-A Jacksonville this season, Kempner has given up 11 runs on 13 hits with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 15 1/3 innings. He also has recorded three saves.
"I'm looking for this team to win," Kempner said. "This is a great organization. We've got a lot of young guys, a lot of talent, and I want to be able to contribute any innings I can, lower my walk rate, like I said, and just be able to go out there and put up zeros."