A former New York Yankees pitcher is making his way to the West Coast.
On Friday, the San Diego Padres announced the acquisition of ex-Yankees reliever Ron Marinaccio from the Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Tuesday, and San Diego sent cash considerations to complete the deal.
Marinaccio, a Toms River native, was selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. During his ascent through the minors, he contributed to a combined no-hitter for the Double-A Somerset Patriots on August 8, 2021, in a game started by former Yankees ace Luis Severino. The following day, Marinaccio earned a promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In 2022, Marinaccio earned a spot on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster and made his MLB debut on April 9 against the Boston Red Sox. That season, he appeared in 40 games, pitching 44 innings with an impressive 2.05 ERA, 3.20 FIP, and 1.05 WHIP. While his control was inconsistent (24 walks, six hit-by-pitches, and five wild pitches), his arsenal of a mid-90s fastball, a devastating changeup, and a sharp slider helped him strike out 56 batters and earn praise for his potential.
However, Marinaccio’s control issues worsened in subsequent seasons. In 2023, his ERA rose to 3.99, and his WHIP increased to 1.31. He was eventually sent back to Triple-A to refine his mechanics but struggled there, allowing 16 runs (15 earned) over 14 games and 15.1 innings while issuing 18 walks and striking out just 13.
In 2024, Marinaccio made 16 big-league appearances with a 3.86 ERA, striking out 25 batters and walking 10. However, frequent trips between the majors and Triple-A depleted his roster flexibility, leading the Yankees to designate him for assignment on September 20. He was claimed by the White Sox three days later.
Despite Marinaccio’s recent struggles, his 2022 performance demonstrated his potential as a high-leverage reliever. If the Padres can help him improve his command, they could unlock his considerable upside.
With Marinaccio’s arrival, the Padres now have five former Yankees pitchers on their roster: Jhony Brito, Michael King, Randy Vasquez, and Wandy Peralta. Brito, King, and Vasquez were acquired in the Juan Soto trade in December 2023, while Peralta joined as a free agent during the same offseason.
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