Marlins left-hander Devin Smeltzer cleared waivers following last week’s DFA and has been assigned outright to Triple-A Jacksonville, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald tweets.
This was the third time in 2023 that the Marlins have designated Smeltzer for assignment, and it’s now the third time he’s passed through waivers and been outrighted. His prior outright assignments give him the right to reject an assignment in favor of free agency, but Smeltzer accepted an outright assignment following each of his two prior DFAs in Miami.
The 27-year-old Smeltzer’s most recent stint with the Fish was his most successful of the season. He appeared in two games and fired three shutout innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Overall, he’s pitched to a 5.79 ERA with an 18.1% strikeout rate and 4.8% walk rate through 18 1/3 innings since signing with Miami on a minor league contract over the winter. He’s spent the bulk of the season in Jacksonville, where he’s worked out of the rotation but turned in a shaky 5.95 ERA with an 18.4% strikeout rate and an uncharacteristically high 12.6% walk rate.
Smeltzer spent the four prior season in Minnesota, pitching to a 3.99 ERA in 140 innings between the Twins’ rotation and bullpen, fanning a well below-average 16.6% of his opponents against a strong 6.4% walk rate.
Heard a terrific human interest story bout Smeltzer. I understand he had cancer as a kid. Grew up a Philly fan. As a kid , going thru treatments , was taken to a Philly game to meet his hero … Chad Utley. Said Utley was instrumental in his recovery.
Fast forward years later , he’s healthy , in pro ball. Dodgers prospect. Gets call to his 1st spring training. Who’s in camp ? Chad Utley. Great story
Chase Utley
Thanks. Sorry. Yes I know lol. Darn autocorrect
Still a great story. Thanks for sharing.
Please tell me his nickname is Alka Smeltzer, Plop Plop, Fizz Fizz, what a relief he is.
Might as well bring Smeltzer back and start prepping for next year by seeing what we’ve got.