The Miami Marlins claimed Joe Gunkel off waivers on Thursday and optioned him to Double-A Jacksonville. Gunkel was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in one of two corresponding roster moves to make way for Cody Bellinger’s MLB debut.
Had Gunkel not been claimed off waivers, Los Angeles could have kept the right-hander in the organization by sending him outright to the Minors. The Dodgers acquired Gunkel from the Baltimore Orioles on April 10 in exchange for a player to be named later of cash considerations.
The 25-year-old had been designated for assignment by Orioles three days prior. Gunkel was originally selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 18th round of the 2013 Draft.
He spent three seasons with the Red Sox organization, and the past two with the Orioles. Gunkel went into this season a combined 28-25 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 99 career games (65 starts) in the Minors.
Last season, he went 8-14 with a 4.02 ERA in 28 starts during time spent with the Orioles’ Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Bowie affiliates. Four of the starts came at the Double-A level.
In three games (one start) for Oklahoma City this season, Gunkel allowed five runs (four earned) in nine innings pitched.
