The Marlins announced Friday morning that right-hander Stephen Jones has been designated for assignment. His spot on the 40-man and active rosters will go to top pitching prospect Robby Snelling, whose widely reported promotion to the majors is now official.
The 28-year-old Jones received his first call to the majors just yesterday after eight years in pro ball, but the Marlins didn’t get him into a game before removing him from the roster. He’ll now be traded, placed on outright waivers or released within the next five days. Waivers would take another 48 hours, so his stay in DFA limbo could last up to a week.
Jones has opened the 2026 season with 16 2/3 innings and a 3.24 ERA in Double-A. He’s surrendered six earned runs on 10 hits and a problematic 13 walks, tacking on 19 punchouts in the process. Jones’ 25.7% strikeout rate isn’t supported by his well below-average 8.5% swinging-strike rate, however, and his colossal 17.6% walk rate presents an obvious red flag.
Originally a 21st-round pick by the Rockies back in 2019, Jones is in his first year in the Marlins system. Miami signed him as a minor league free agent over the winter. He spent 2025 with the Padres organization — also after inking a minor league contract. He typically works off a four-seamer that sits 95 mph and a slider that sits 86 mph, sprinkling in an occasional sinker, cutter and changeup.
Probably gonna end up in phantom ballplayer limbo now
Dallas Cowboys fans probably got excited for a sec reading the headline