More Miami Marlins roster moves and notes

The Miami Marlins made some roster moves today. As The Fish attempt to carry on the momentum from yesterday's big win (and hopefully look to extend a key bat), let's get started with today's news. A relief pitcher was demoted to the Minor Leagues, and another one was called up in his place. I also wanted to mention some interesting stats about the team. So let's get started shall we?

The Miami Marlins shook up the bullpen again.

Leaving the Miami Marlins roster is lefty relief pitcher Devin Smeltzer. The 27 year old pitched from 2019 to 2022 for the Minnesota Twins. He both started and relieved for the team, delivering a 3.99 ERA/4.82 FIP with 6.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 34 games and 140.0 innings pitched. Things didn't exactly get better for him in 2023 with The Fish. Smeltzer produced a 6.75 ERA/7.85 FIP with 6.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 5 games (1 start) and 12.0 innings pitched.

The Miami Marlins won't miss Devin Smeltzer, but he'll still be available to eat innings if the need requires. Smeltzer's spot has been taken by 28 year old righty Johan Quezada. Quezada hasn't pitched since 2020, when he produced a 9.00 ERA/7.19 FIP, with 6.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 3 games and 3.0 innings pitched. Quezada doesn't look all that good, but he did produce a 2.35 ERA in AA and AAA this season. He produced an intriguing 11.7 K/9 there, but unfortunately also a 5.9 B/9. If he can find a way to improve his control, he might hopefully be an asset.

In some other notes, LF Bryan De La Cruz is batting .277/.322/.410 this season. What concerns me is his .396 BABIP, which implies that his production will decline going forward. I like his 92.6 Exit Velocity, but I can't get past the BABIP. I'm concerned that he will live up to his poor Fangraphs projections. Those projections have him batting .259/.310/.413 rest of season. He also went from having a .333 batting average in scoring situations, to .240 now. Let's hope that he can still become a reliable middle of the order bat.