Two pitchers who left San Diego this summer have already been cut loose by their new clubs.
Matt Waldron and Ron Marinaccio, both right-handers, were designated for assignment after short stays with their latest teams. Waldron’s run with the Toronto Blue Jays ended after four appearances, while Marinaccio was moved on by the Cincinnati Reds after an even rougher stretch.
Waldron had been designated for assignment by the Padres in late July after a rough stretch and a pile of injuries. Toronto picked him up quickly, but the results never followed. In four outings for the Blue Jays, he posted a 10.38 ERA.
His season with San Diego had already been a grind. Waldron made 10 appearances for the Padres, including three starts, and finished with a 7.16 ERA across 32.3 innings. He did not debut until mid-April because he opened the year on the injured list following hemorrhoid surgery.
He later went back on the IL in May with a right brachialis injury and missed two months before returning as a bullpen option. After coming back, Waldron put up a 3.86 ERA over 9.1 innings before San Diego moved on.
Waldron had spent his entire career with the Padres, and 2024 had hinted at a breakthrough. In 27 appearances, including 26 starts, he logged a 4.91 ERA over 146.2 innings pitched.
Across parts of four seasons in San Diego, he finished with a 5.19 ERA over 225.1 innings and 195 strikeouts.
Marinaccio’s path has been even busier. Cincinnati became the third team he played for this season, after stints with the Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds designated him for assignment after he struggled badly in their uniform, and he has chosen free agency instead of going to Triple-A.
With San Diego, Marinaccio worked mostly out of the bullpen and made 33 appearances, posting a 4.79 ERA over 47 innings. His season also included a two-game suspension tied to an incident with the Baltimore Orioles earlier this year.
After a trade to Pittsburgh, he appeared in only four games and recorded a 6.75 ERA before the Pirates designated him for assignment. The Reds claimed him off waivers, but the change of scenery didn’t help. In four appearances for Cincinnati, Marinaccio had a 16.88 ERA.
Over his last 26.2 innings, he has allowed 25 runs. His best major league work came in his rookie season with the New York Yankees, when he posted a 2.05 ERA over 40 appearances.
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