Marlins Demote Graham Pauley, Recall Heriberto Hernández

The Miami Marlins shook up their roster Thursday. marlins/”>Graham Pauley went down to Triple-A Jacksonville, and outfielder Heriberto Hernández got the call back up. They also sent pitcher Dax Fulton to the minors and promoted right-hander Stephen Jones.

The club’s looking for a spark. Their offense has stumbled early in 2026, and manager Clayton McCullough seems to be mixing accountability with development as the roster keeps shifting.

Rosters And Rationale Behind The Moves

Miami started the season 13-13, holding second place in the NL East. But they’ve dropped eight of their last 11 games and just came off a four-game skid.

With that slide, the Marlins decided to send Pauley to Jacksonville. McCullough called it a chance for Pauley to regain his form and confidence in the minors. Pauley just hasn’t matched last season’s offense, so his absence opens up the infield for others.

At the same time, Hernández comes back from Triple-A. He brings outfield depth and a veteran’s steady presence. Fulton’s optioned out, and Jones returns to the bullpen, hoping to help the pitching staff find some consistency.

McCullough said these aren’t punishments. He sees them as strategic moves to maximize upside and fill production gaps.

Other players—Connor Norby, Javier Sanoja, and Leo Jimenez—are going to get more chances. The team’s trying to recalibrate around its core, and several guys are still working through early-season slumps.

Graham Pauley’s Slump Triggers Demotion

Pauley contributed steadily last season, but this year he’s hit a wall. He’s batting just .173 and has struck out 19 times.

He hasn’t gotten a hit in his last 17 at-bats. That’s made it tough to keep him in the big-league lineup. McCullough admitted Pauley hasn’t delivered at the plate, but he still believes in his potential. The hope is that a stint in Jacksonville lets Pauley reset and come back stronger.

With Pauley gone, Connor Norby and Javier Sanoja should see more time at third base. It’s a practical move—Miami wants to keep the offense flexible and figure out which mix actually works in the tight NL East race.

The Marlins also want to get Leo Jimenez, who came over from Toronto in March, more looks as a utility infielder. He’ll get a chance to show what he can do with the bat and glove.

• Connor Norby and Javier Sanoja will split third-base duties, giving the team some versatility and offense while Pauley works things out in the minors.
• Leo Jimenez will be in the infield mix, taking opportunities as they come up.
• Players need to earn their spots with steady at-bats and solid defense. The pitching staff could use all the support it can get right now.

Heriberto Hernández Returns: A Veteran Rejoins The Fold

Heriberto Hernández went to Triple-A on April 27 after a rough start. He’s shown before that he can contribute when given the chance.

Last year, Hernández hit .266 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He brought reliable power and handled himself well in the outfield. This season, though, he was batting just .159 with no homers in 63 at-bats before coming back up. That wasn’t cutting it for the Marlins, but he’s a familiar right-handed bat who’s helped before.

His return gives the lineup some depth and experience. The Marlins hope he can handle late-inning pressure and stabilize things while they keep evaluating younger players. They’ll keep a close eye on Hernández, whether he’s pinch-hitting or playing more regularly in the outfield, as the team works through a tough stretch of games.

Team Outlook: What Comes Next For Miami

The Marlins just made a flurry of moves, and honestly, it shows they’re trying to balance winning now with building for the future. This roster shakeup really highlights how willing the front office is to adjust on the fly and reward players who step up.

They’re also giving younger infielders a shot in real game situations. The NL East is a mess—so close, so competitive. Every win feels huge, and Miami’s banking on these changes to spark the offense and tighten up the defense as they chase a playoff spot.

In the short run, Miami will keep a close eye on how these guys handle their new roles and extra pressure. Maybe Pauley figures things out in Jacksonville, or Hernández finds his groove again in the majors—who knows?

Right now, the team’s mindset is pretty obvious: build depth, stay adaptable, and just keep grinding for wins as the 2026 season rolls on.

 
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