The Marlins announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Patrick Monteverde from Triple-A Jacksonville. Right-hander George Soriano was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
Miami used four different relievers in Friday’s 7-2 loss to Philadelphia, and Soriano ate 1 2/3 of those innings. Today’s transaction gets a fresh arm into the Marlins’ pen, and also opens the door for Monteverde to make his Major League debut whenever the southpaw makes his first in-game appearance.
The 27-year-old Monteverde was an eighth-round pick for the Marlins in the 2021 draft, and the Texas Tech product posted some decent numbers in the minors before seemingly hitting a wall at the Triple-A level. Monteverde has a 6.55 ERA over 88 innings in Jacksonville, with a decrease in strikeouts and an increase in home runs accounting for these struggles over parts of three seasons at the top minor league level. Monteverde has mostly worked as a starter in the minors, but this season has seen him work just as a multi-inning reliever across his three Triple-A appearances, though a 4.82 ERA in 9 1/3 innings this year doesn’t yet hint at any great breakthrough.
It was at least enough to get Monteverde his first look in the Show, and he’ll be thrown right into the deep end if he is utilized against the Phillies’ many powerful left-handed bats this weekend. Monteverde might indeed just be a depth arm for the short term, but on a rebuilding team like the Marlins, he has plenty of opportunity to stick around or get a future call-up if he pitches well. Anthony Veneziano is the only other left-hander in Miami’s bullpen, so Monteverde could bring some extra southpaw depth if he remains on the active roster.