Marlins DFA veteran RHP Chris Paddack: What it Means

The Miami Marlins have designated veteran pitcher Chris Paddack for assignment, ending a brief and rocky chapter in Miami after he signed a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason.

The move comes after a troubling run of seven starts in which Paddack went 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA. His rough Sunday outing against Philadelphia stood out—six runs scored in the first inning, and he allowed seven earned runs over just 2 2/3 innings.

Designated for assignment: what happened and why

The Marlins made the DFA move on Tuesday, focusing on performance concerns instead of a long-term plan to outright release Paddack. Miami wanted the veteran right-hander to steady the back end of the rotation, but that just didn’t happen.

Over seven starts, Paddack went 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA. Only one start lasted six innings. Marlins manager Clayton McCullough called the decision performance-driven, not related to anything off the field. He made it pretty clear they’re searching for better innings, whether that’s from within or outside the organization.

Sunday’s game against the Phillies really highlighted Paddack’s struggles. He gave up six runs in the first inning and got pulled after allowing seven in less than three innings. It’s been a season-long pattern—early trouble, not much effectiveness, and not giving the team a chance to win.

To complete the move, Miami called up right-hander William Kempner from Triple-A Jacksonville. Kempner brings a fresh arm and some depth as the Marlins weigh their options. The club seems to be juggling the need for immediate help with a desire to develop younger talent in the minor-league-players-eventually-make-it-to-mlb/”>minors.

Chris Paddack’s career arc: from the Marlins to the majors

Paddack’s path in baseball has been anything but simple. The Marlins drafted him in 2015, then traded him to San Diego in 2016 while he was still in the minors.

He debuted with the Padres in 2019 and later pitched for Minnesota and Detroit. He’s bounced between roles, from regular rotation work to the bullpen, showing just how unpredictable a pitching career can be at this level. Miami hoped his experience and velocity would turn into a reliable rotation spot, but that just didn’t pan out in 2024.

Now, Paddack’s designation fits into a bigger picture—teams are constantly rethinking pitching depth and prospect pipelines as the season unfolds. Injuries, fatigue, and wild swings in performance can force a team’s hand fast. Paddack will likely look at waivers or minor-league options, depending on who’s interested and whether anyone believes he can bounce back.

Roster move and what it means for the Marlins’ rotation

The Marlins just made a quick pivot by promoting Kempner. This signals a real shift in how they’re handling the back end of their rotation and bullpen depth.

Kempner brings a right-handed arm up from the minors. That move lets Miami get a little more precise with matchups and manage workloads as they chase a competitive finish.

He’s a newer name for a lot of fans, honestly. But his presence gives the club an actual option right now to eat up some innings and keep things flexible during this crucial stretch.

• Immediate impact: Kempner gives them a fresh bullpen arm or a possible spot starter if things get tight. That helps stabilize the late-season workload.
• Rotation depth: With Paddack gone, there’s suddenly room for someone else—maybe an internal candidate, maybe someone from outside—to fill that gap at the end of the rotation.
• Farm-system implications: This move really shows how the Marlins are leaning on Triple-A depth to keep the big-league roster afloat, but they’re still thinking about long-term development too.

 
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