Braxton Garrett, Bradley Blalock out of options beyond 2026

[Ely Sussman]

Although it does not directly impact this current Miami Marlins season, we have arrived at a significant milestone on the calendar as it pertains to long-term roster management. Players who were optioned to the minor leagues prior to the start of the MLB regular season and haven't been recalled since have spent 20 days down there, which causes them to lose one of their options.

With occasional exceptions for those who miss substantial time due to injuries, a player has three option years. Those options are what allow them to be sent to the minors without being subjected to waivers. Only one option is used per season, regardless of how often a player gets shuttled back and forth between Miami and Triple-A Jacksonville.

Out-of-options players must be designated for assignment—which removes them from the 40-man roster—and passed through outright waivers before being eligible to be sent down. Beginning in 2027, Marlins right-hander Bradley Blalock and left-hander Braxton Garrett will be out of options.

Both working as starters for the Jumbo Shrimp, Blalock (1.93 ERA and 5.19 FIP in 14.0 IP) and Garrett (0.59 ERA and 2.75 FIP in 15.1 IP) are performing well this season. Garrett in particular is extremely likely to make starts for the Marlins in 2026 as rotation openings inevitably present themselves.

Elsewhere on the 40-man, left-handers Dax Fulton and Cade Gibson and infielder Jared Serna have used up their second options. Right-hander Ryan Gusto is three days away from joining them. The discrepancy is due to the stint he had on the active roster filling in for Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks while Fairbanks was on the paternity list.

Catcher Joe Mack and right-handers William Kempner and Josh White were just selected to the 40-man this past offseason, so they've only used their first options.

With outfielder Kyle Stowers eyeing a reinstatement from the injured list next week, the Marlins must make a corresponding roster move involving another position player. This is a scenario where options become important. At first glance, struggling bench bats Austin Slater and Leo Jiménez may seem like prime candidates to get sent down, but they're both out of options.

Are the Marlins willing to DFA Slater or Jiménez and risk losing them for nothing, or would they rather play it safe by optioning the likes of Deyvison De Los Santos or Heriberto Hernández? In my experience covering this front office, the conservative, latter choice is far more likely.

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