Marlins Claim RHP Garrett Acton, DFA Outfielder Victor Mesa Jr.
The Miami Marlins made a quiet but interesting roster move on Tuesday, claiming right-handed reliever Garrett Acton off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. for assignment-marking a notable shift for two players at very different crossroads in their careers.
Acton’s Journey: A Power Arm Still Looking for Stability
Garrett Acton, 27, has bounced around a bit in recent seasons, but there’s still something intriguing about his profile-especially for a team like Miami that has a knack for getting the most out of pitchers. Acton spent the 2025 season in the Rays organization, where he made one brief appearance in the majors but spent most of his time at Triple-A Durham.
In 58 ⅔ innings at Triple-A, Acton posted a 3.68 ERA and a 4.01 FIP across 45 outings, including four starts. He struck out batters at a strong 10.89 K/9 clip, though control remained a concern with a 4.14 BB/9. Those numbers paint the picture of a high-strikeout arm with some volatility-exactly the kind of profile that can sometimes blossom in the right environment.
Acton’s brief taste of the majors came in 2023 with the A’s, where he struggled mightily in six appearances (12.71 ERA). But that stint came not long after Tommy John surgery, and the road back from that procedure is rarely linear. His fastball velocity dropped from an average of 95.4 mph in 2023 to 93.7 mph last year, but another year removed from surgery could help him regain some of that heat.
He works with a three-pitch mix: a four-seam fastball, slider, and changeup. Given the Marlins’ reputation for developing pitchers and expanding arsenals, it wouldn’t be surprising if they look to tweak or add to his repertoire. Importantly, Acton still has two minor league options remaining, giving Miami flexibility to work with him without rushing a decision.
Mesa Jr. on the Move: From Top Prospect to DFA
On the other side of the transaction, Victor Mesa Jr.’s time with the Marlins is on pause-if not over. Once one of the more promising position player prospects in the system, Mesa now finds himself designated for assignment after being leapfrogged on the outfield depth chart.
Mesa, 24, originally signed with the Marlins for $1 million as an international free agent back in 2018. After several injury setbacks, he finally made his big league debut in 2025. In 16 games with the Marlins, he slashed .188/.297/.344 with one homer and six RBIs-numbers that didn’t exactly force the team’s hand in keeping him around.
Still, his Triple-A performance in 2025 was solid. In 52 games, he hit .286/.352/.460 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and a 121 wRC+, showing a bit of pop and solid on-base skills.
He’s capable of playing all three outfield spots, and his hit tool has always been one of his calling cards. But with younger outfielders rising through the ranks and a crowded picture in Miami’s outfield, Mesa’s path to regular playing time had all but vanished.
Mesa has one minor league option left, which could make him an appealing pickup for a team looking to add outfield depth with some upside. The Marlins now have seven days to either trade him or pass him through waivers.
What It Means for the Marlins
This move fits the mold of a classic low-risk, high-upside play from Miami’s front office. Acton brings swing-and-miss stuff and minor league options, giving the Marlins a chance to see if they can unlock more consistency from his arm. At the same time, moving on from Mesa-while not easy given his prospect pedigree-reflects the reality of a roster crunch and the evolution of the team’s outfield depth.
For now, it’s a bet on pitching potential over positional redundancy. And if Acton can take a step forward in 2026, it might be a bet that pays off.