A $4 million bet that didn’t pay off, a prospect making his debut, and a rotation overhaul that could define Miami’s 2026 season — here’s everything you need to know.
Quick Summary — For Fast Readers
- Chris Paddack DFA’d: Miami moves on from their struggling veteran starter after a disastrous 0-5 start with a 7.63 ERA.
- Youth movement begins: Dax Fulton makes his MLB debut out of the bullpen, while top prospect Robby Snelling is set to debut Friday.
- Rotation depth on display: The Marlins are leaning into their stacked farm system to reshape the pitching staff for the future.
The Paddack Experiment: What Went Wrong
Chris Paddack’s return to Miami was supposed to be a feel-good story. Drafted by the Marlins in 2015 and traded to San Diego before making his MLB debut, Paddack’s one-year, $4 million deal felt like a homecoming — a chance to stabilize the back end of the rotation with a veteran presence.
Instead, it became a cautionary tale.
Across six starts and one relief appearance, Paddack struggled mightily, posting a 7.63 ERA and a 0-5 record. His 9.00 ERA through six starts ranked as the third-worst in MLB, and he became just the fourth Marlin in franchise history to open a season 0-6.
The breaking point came on Sunday against the Phillies, when Paddack allowed six runs in the first inning and seven total over just 2⅔ innings. Manager Clayton McCullough didn’t sugarcoat the decision to move on:
“This does become a performance-based environment. We feel like we have a good team. We feel like we have a lot of really solid depth that’s not here right now… with Chris, that was what it came more down to.”
The Marlins chose to eat the remainder of Paddack’s contract rather than prolong the experiment — a clear signal that winning trumps sunk costs in Miami’s front office.
The Roster Shuffle: Three Moves in Two Days
Paddack’s departure triggered a wave of changes that highlight Miami’s growing depth at key positions.
Tuesday, May 5:
- Chris Paddack: Designated for assignment.
- William Kempner (RHP): Recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. Kempner made his MLB debut later that night, tossing a scoreless eighth inning on just eight pitches.
Wednesday, May 6:
- William Kempner: Optioned back to Triple-A Jacksonville.
- Dax Fulton (LHP): Recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville for his MLB debut.
Earlier This Week:
- Joe Mack (C): Promoted to the big league roster to take over behind the plate.
- Agustín Ramírez (C): Optioned to the minors after defensive struggles.
Who Is Dax Fulton?
The newest addition to Miami’s pitching staff is Dax Fulton, a towering 6’7″, 245-pound lefty with a power arsenal and a story of resilience.
Fulton’s path to the majors has been anything but smooth. He underwent Tommy John surgery as an amateur and later required an internal brace procedure on his left UCL in June 2023, costing him the entire 2024 season.
Since returning in 2025, Fulton has shown promise, posting a 3.55 FIP, a 23.8% strikeout rate, and a 47.3% ground-ball rate over 103⅔ innings. While his 2026 Triple-A numbers have been rocky — a 7.65 ERA in 20 innings — his raw stuff is undeniable:
- Fastball: A 93.6 mph heater that touches 96-97 mph.
- Curveball: A sharp-breaking pitch in the low 80s.
- Changeup: An upper-80s offering with movement.
Fulton will debut out of the bullpen, giving Miami a fresh left-handed option with the potential to grow into a rotation role.
What’s Next: Robby Snelling on Deck
The Marlins’ youth movement continues on Friday, when top prospect Robby Snelling is expected to make his MLB debut against the Washington Nationals.
Snelling, ranked No. 2 in Miami’s system and No. 26 overall by Baseball America, is the headliner of a stacked group of young arms. With Sandy Alcantara, Eury Pérez, Max Meyer, and Janson Junk anchoring the current rotation, Miami’s farm system is brimming with talent waiting for its chance:
- Robby Snelling: A polished lefty with a killer curveball and elite command.
- Thomas White: The No. 11 overall prospect, boasting a fastball that touches the upper 90s.
- Dax Fulton: Already in the big leagues, ready to prove he belongs.
Paddack’s struggles may have accelerated the timeline for this youth movement, but it’s clear Miami’s front office was already planning for the future.
The Marlins didn’t flinch. They made the tough call to cut ties with Chris Paddack, opting to prioritize performance and potential over loyalty and sunk costs.
The result is a rotation packed with young talent, a bullpen infused with fresh arms, and a catching upgrade in Joe Mack that could pay dividends for years to come.
At 16-20, Miami’s season is far from lost. If their new generation of pitchers can deliver, the Marlins could make noise in the NL East — and finally turn potential into results.
Sources
MLB.com: Marlins Designate Veteran Starter Paddack for Assignment (May 5, 2026)
AP / Chronicle Online: Marlins Designate Veteran Pitcher Paddack for Assignment (May 5, 2026)
Reuters: After an 0-5 Start, Marlins DFA Right-Hander Chris Paddack (May 5, 2026)
Yahoo Sports / Sporting News: Why Marlins Are Parting Ways with Chris Paddack Despite $4 Million Contract (May 5, 2026)
