Miami Marlins reshuffle the bullpen

The Miami Marlins once again made changes to the team's bullpen. It appears that changes due to injuries and bad performances, have been the norm over the last week. The Fish are trying to have the team's roster in good shape, as the team is actually in playoff contention at the moment. What are the changes this time? Let's take a look at the moves...

The Miami Marlins reshuffled the bullpen.

Devin Smeltzer is once again off the team. The Miami Marlins designated him for assignment, as he continues to disappoint during his call-ups to the main roster. The 27 year old lefty has a career 4.28 ERA/5.18 FIP with 6.1 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 for his career. He spent most of it with the Minnesota Twins from 2019 to 2022, but has of course been pitching for The Fish this season. He's been a disaster so far, producing a 6.89 ERA/8.40 FIP with 5.7 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 6 games and 15.2 innings pitched.

Smeltzer's replacement on the Major League roster is 31 year old righty Chi Chi Gonzalez. Chi Chi started his career with the Texas Rangers, and pitched for them in both of their 2015 and 2016 division winning seasons. He produced a 4.54 ERA/5.06 FIP, with 4.3 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 in 17 games and 77.1 innings pitched. It was not a very promising performance as you can see by his walking issues.

Chi Chi moved on to the Colorado Rockies for the 2019-2021 seasons. He proceeded to deliver a disappointing 6.10 ERA/5.48 FIP, with 5.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 44 games and 184.1 innings pitched. That was pretty poor production, but at least his control improved and his strikeouts went up as well. He split 2022 between the Minnesota Twins, the Milwaukee Brewers and the New York Yankees. He delivered a 5.87 ERA/5.55 FIP, with 5.9 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 7 games and 23.0 innings pitched.

Chi Chi Gonzalez is a swingman, who will at best eat up some innings without being too bad at giving up runs. He should at least be an upgrade over Devin Smeltzer.