Miami Marlins make another bullpen change

The Miami Marlins made yet another bullpen change. The Fish already made one to potentially improve the rotation. As the team also improved the lineup quite a bit, it's looking like moves are being done all over the place. It might be exactly the reshuffling that this team needs with a hard schedule coming up.

The Miami Marlins make more changes to the bullpen.

Right-handed relief pitcher Huascar Brazoban is headed back down to the Minor Leagues. The late-bloomer of a 33 year old has actually debuted for the team in 2022. That season he delivered a 3.09 ERA/3.99 FIP with 11.3 K/9 and 5.9 BB/9 in 27 games and 32.0 innings pitched. The strikeouts were truly elite, but the walks left a lot to be desired. The age was also a concern, as he was not exactly a young fresh prospect.

This season, Huascar has a 4.13 ERA/3.90 FIP with 9.1 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9, in 45 games and 52.1 innings pitched. Once again the strikeouts are elite, but the walks are just not acceptable. The ERA is also just barely passable, though the FIP is obviously a bit more promising. Will Huascar Brazoban be back this season? Maybe. If there's an opening in the bullpen, he might just be the player called up to fill it.

So who is replacing him on the Major League roster? Left-handed relief pitcher Devin Smeltzer. The 27 year old has a 6.11 ERA/8.31 FIP, with 5.7 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 so far this season. I mean.... he's not exactly a Hall of Fame closer to put it mildly. He did however pitch 2 innings of 5 strikeout ball in yesterday's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. Maybe he turned the corner and is just better now? Time will tell on that front.

The Miami Marlins have a very tough schedule coming up, starting with a road series against the Texas Rangers. I'm really worried about that, as the team is still in the playoff race. Let's hope that Devin Smeltzer at least doesn't hurt us in that pursuit. The Miami Marlins can't afford more bullpen meltdowns costing games.