0-5 With a 7.63 ERA: Marlins Cut Loose Chris Paddack After One Month of Disaster

The Miami Marlins pulled the plug on Chris Paddack's experiment after just seven starts. On Tuesday, they designated the veteran right-hander for assignment and called up William Kempner from Triple-A Jacksonville to take his spot on the roster.

Paddack's final outing told you everything you needed to know about how this went sideways fast. In his last start Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, he coughed up seven runs on six hits with three walks over just 2 2/3 innings. Game over.

How Bad Did It Get?

In seven starts this season, his first with Miami, Paddack was 0-5 with a 7.63 ERA. He was tied for the major league lead with 26 earned runs allowed entering Tuesday's games. Yeah, you read that right. The guy was hemorrhaging runs faster than almost anyone in baseball.

There was one bright spot. Last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers, he looked competent, allowing just two runs over four innings. For a hot second, maybe this could work. Nope. It all came crashing down against the Phillies.

The Resume Doesn't Match the Numbers

Paddack, 30, has been around the block over eight major league seasons. He has played for the San Diego Padres (2019-21), Minnesota Twins (2022-25), Detroit Tigers (2025), and now Miami. His career record sits at 32-41 with a 4.79 ERA in 125 appearances (116 starts). This 2026 season, though, was a complete breakdown.

What's Next for Miami?

Kempner, 24, is about to make his major league debut. The right-hander was a third-round draft pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2022 and has been grinding at Jacksonville. He was 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA in 12 relief appearances for the Jaguars, but he also posted three saves and 34 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings. The Marlins are banking on fresh arms and a new look. Sometimes you have to burn it down and rebuild.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.