OAKLAND, Calif. — The Yankees showed their feelings about Ron Marinaccio this season by keeping him in Triple-A for most of the season, despite the need for bullpen reinforcements.
In that sense, the team's decision to designate Marinaccio for deregistration on Friday may not have been all that surprising, even if giving up on the 29-year-old relief pitcher was a bit of a shock.
The Yankees needed to make room on their 40-man roster to bring Cody Poteet back off the 60-day disabled list (and then option him down to Triple-A), so they selected Marinaccio as the available option.
The right-hander from New Jersey had a 3.86 ERA in 16 appearances this season over five seasons with the Yankees.
With little roster flexibility in the bullpen, Marinaccio was hurt by his minor league option that saw him shuttle between the Bronx and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Marinaccio has appeared in 35 Triple-A games this year, posting a 2.04 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.
Marinaccio had an incredible rookie year in 2022, pitching in 40 games with a 2.05 ERA, but was demoted to Triple-A last season after pitching in 45 games with a 3.99 ERA.
