Reds Shockingly DFA Marinaccio: Bullpen Shakeup Begins
Cincinnati Reds Shake Up Bullpen: Marinaccio Out, Emanuel In
What Happened on Monday?
The Cincinnati Reds made three roster moves before their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals:
- Designated Ron Marinaccio for assignment (removed him from the 40-man roster)
- Selected Kent Emanuel’s contract from Triple-A Louisville (added him to the major league roster)
- Named Zach McCambley as the 27th man for the doubleheader (temporary extra player allowed for twin bills)
Important Note: "Designated for assignment" (DFA) doesn’t mean the player is released immediately. It gives the team 7 days to trade the player, release him, or send him to the minors (if he clears waivers).
Who Is Ron Marinaccio?
The Journey This Season (Team #3!)
- Started 2026 with the San Diego Padres
- Traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for international bonus pool money
- Claimed off waivers by Cincinnati last week after Pittsburgh also DFA’d him
- Now DFA’d by the Reds after just one week
His Track Record (2021-2025)
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Innings | 125⅓ |
| ERA | 3.02 (very good!) |
| Strikeout Rate | 28.3% (excellent) |
| Ground Ball Rate | 40.1% (near league average) |
| Walk Rate | 12.3% (high – control issues) |
| Hit Batters | 3% (plunks batters often) |
| Saves/Holds | 2 saves, 14 holds |
The 2026 Rollercoaster
First Half (Through Late June):
- 3.72 ERA in 38⅔ innings
- Walk rate improved to 7.5% (much better!)
- Ground ball rate jumped to 46.9%
- Strikeout rate dropped to 20%
The Crash (Last 19 Innings):
- 23 runs allowed on 24 hits and 15 walks
- 6 home runs surrendered
- Only 16 strikeouts in 100 batters faced
- ERA ballooned from 3.72 → 6.09
Why Might Another Team Claim Him?
- Career 3.98 ERA in 183 major league innings
- No velocity loss – still throws 93.6-93.8 mph
- Team control through arbitration for 3 more seasons
- Reliever depth is scarce in August
- Low cost – middle relievers don’t get huge arbitration raises
Baseball Term: "Out of minor league options" means he cannot be sent to the minors without passing through waivers first. Any new team must keep him on their major league roster.
Meet Kent Emanuel
The Basics
- Age: 34
- Height: 6’4"
- College: University of North Carolina (UNC)
- 2026: This is his third MLB season (previous: Astros 2021, Marlins 2024)
Career MLB Stats (35⅓ Total Innings)
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.58 |
| Strikeout Rate | 16.7% |
| Walk Rate | 7.3% |
| Ground Ball Rate | 55.5% (very high!) |
Where Has He Been?
- Early 2026: High Point Rockers (Independent Atlantic League)
- 2025: Diablos Rojos del México (Mexican League)
- Early August 2026: Signed minor league deal with Reds
- Triple-A Louisville: 6 innings, 1 run, 2 hits, 8 strikeouts
- Now: Promoted to the majors!
His Pitching Arsenal
- Sinker (89-90 mph) – Primary pitch, generates ground balls
- Slider (Upper 70s) – Breaking ball
- Changeup (Low 80s) – Off-speed pitch
Key Insight: Emanuel is a ground-ball specialist (55.5% rate). Ground balls lead to double plays and fewer home runs – perfect for a reliever!
Who Is Zach McCambley? (The 27th Man)
- Right-handed pitcher
- Called up just for today’s doubleheader
- Returns to Triple-A after the games
- Rule: Teams get a 27th roster spot for scheduled doubleheaders
Summary: What This Means for the Reds
| Move | Impact |
|---|---|
| Marinaccio DFA’d | Removes a struggling reliever; opens 40-man roster spot |
| Emanuel Promoted | Adds left-handed, ground-ball specialist with fresh arm |
| McCambley (27th Man) | Extra bullpen coverage for two games today |
Bottom Line: The Reds swapped a righty with great stuff but recent command collapse for a lefty who keeps the ball on the ground and just dominated in Triple-A. Classic "change of scenery" move for a contending team.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. What does "designated for assignment" actually mean?
It means the Reds removed Marinaccio from their 40-man roster. They have 7 days to trade him, release him, or try to send him to the minors (but he must clear waivers first – any team can claim him).
2. Why would the Reds give up on Marinaccio after just one week?
His last 19 innings were historically bad (23 runs, 15 walks, 6 HRs). With a playoff push, they can’t wait for him to "figure it out" in major league games.
3. What’s a "ground-ball rate" and why does it matter?
It’s the percentage of balls in play that are hit on the ground. High ground-ball rates = fewer home runs, more double plays. Emanuel’s 55.5% is elite!
4. Can the Reds get Marinaccio back if he clears waivers?
Yes! If no team claims him in 7 days, the Reds can outright him to Triple-A Louisville and keep him in the organization.
5. What happens to McCambley after the doubleheader?
He returns to Triple-A Louisville. The 27th man rule is temporary – only for that day’s doubleheader.
Article based on MLB roster moves announced August 17, 2026. Statistics courtesy of Baseball-Reference.