Garrett Acton traded to Twins for right-hander Logan Whitaker

[Ely Sussman]

The Miami Marlins announced on Thursday that right-handed reliever Garrett Acton has been traded to the Minnesota Twins. In return, they received right-handed reliever Logan Whitaker.

The Marlins claimed Acton off waivers from the Colorado Rockies in February and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville last month. Prior to being designated for assignment, he made two scoreless relief appearances for the Jumbo Shrimp, leaning almost entirely on his mid-90s four-seam fastball and high-80s slider. He spent the vast majority of 2025 (his age-27 season) with Triple-A Durham, where he performed solidly (3.68 ERA and 4.01 FIP in 58.2 IP). Acton has also made seven major league appearances (all as a reliever), posting a 10.80 ERA and 11.19 FIP in those 6 ⅔ innings pitched.

Turning 25 next month, Whitaker split last season between High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita. He spent nearly two months on the injured list, which limited him to 38 ⅓ innings pitched (25 G/0 GS), but he was highly effective when available, posting a 2.11 ERA and 2.90 FIP. That includes a 1.21 ERA if you ignore his season debut. He also worked three scoreless innings in Grapefruit League games this spring.

Selected in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of North Carolina State University, Whitaker is listed at 6'6", but only gets approximately six feet of extension during his delivery. He attacks hitters using his four-seamer and changeup, with occasional sliders and cutters mixed in.

Whitaker should be joining Double-A Pensacola's roster this weekend.

Through six games in 2026, the Marlins bullpen has been phenomenal. It's unclear who would be first in line for a call-up in the event of injury or overuse. Left-hander Cade Gibson has looked shaky for the Jumbo Shrimp through one week of action. Right-hander Josh White has fully proven himself in the minors, but lacks MLB experience.

 

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[One Regend]

They DFAed Victor Mesa Jr for Garrett Acton... only to DFA Acton literally 2 months later.

I get that Victor Mesa Jr was buried on the depth chart after several in-season and offseason trades, but interactions like this make me wonder why they even bothered picking up Acton in the first place.

[Jose Herrera]

Oblique injuries usually occur from repeatedly twisting too hard when hitting or pitching. Our hitting philosophy is "hit strikes hard" so if players like Acosta, Morel and Ruiz can all develop better plate discipline not only will they hit better but probably spend less time on the I.L. Whiffing hard on balls is probably what is doing the most damage to their bodies and performance.

Anyways, thanks again Minnesota. First Bragg and now Whitaker? If we keep playing well this season they may let us have Buxton or Ryan.