The Minnesota Twins will be re-signing right-handed reliever Darren McCaughan and will head to Triple-A St. Paul after he initially elected free agency after being designated for assignment. McCaughan got caught in an early-season roster crunch but has now returned to the organization and should reappear in Minnesota's bullpen at some point this year. The 29-year-old former 12th-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 2017 out of Long Beach State had looked good in his first three relief appearances with the Twins before being DFA'd, allowing only one earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out six in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He hasn't been nearly as good in his previous three MLB seasons with the Guardians, Marlins and Mariners, though, posting a 6.43 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with two saves in 56 innings pitched.
The Minnesota Twins designated right-hander Darren McCaughan for assignment on Monday and selected the contract of right-hander Scott Blewett from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The Twins are looking for a fresh bullpen arm. If McCaughan isn't claimed off waivers, expect the 29-year-old to head to St. Paul and serve as relief depth for the Twins. The former 12th-rounder of the Seattle Mariners in 2017 out of Long Beach State gave up an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out six in 5 1/3 relief innings of work to begin the season, so it's not like he pitched poorly. The 28-year-old Blewett impressed the big-league coaching staff a year ago with a 1.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings of work. He allowed three earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings in his first two appearances with St. Paul this year before his promotion.
The Miami Marlins called up pitcher Darren McCaughan from Triple-A Jacksonville for Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. McCaughan was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians in May and is 5-3 with a 5.43 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 14 starts with 70 strikeouts and 24 walks in 68 innings. He has not pitched in the majors since making five appearances with the Seattle Mariners in the 2021 and 2023 seasons. The Marlins optioned pitcher Shaun Anderson to Triple-A Jacksonville after he made three appearances with a 0-2 record and 10.97 ERA and 2.34 WHIP in 10 2/3 innings. There is little fantasy impact involved with either move.
The Cleveland Guardians acquired right-hander Darren McCaughan from the Miami Marlins on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. The move comes after the Marlins designated McCaughan for assignment after he allowed eight earned runs on nine hits (three home runs) while walking three and striking out only two in 4 2/3 innings against the Oakland Athletics in his lone appearance on Saturday. The 28-year-old will now give the Guardians both starting and relieving depth in the minors after they sent him to Triple-A Columbus. McCaughan has a 9.16 career ERA (8.65 FIP) and 1.82 WHIP with 10 walks and 14 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings over six appearances (one start) in his three years in the big leagues. He remains far off the fantasy radar.
Miami Marlins reliever Darren McCaughan has been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville. The right-hander was claimed off waivers by the club from the Seattle Mariners this offseason after he made just three appearances with Seattle in the 2023 season. McCaughan worked to a 5.40 ERA in that time with Seattle while he also scuffled to a 5.83 ERA across 25 outings, all of which were starts, with Triple-A Tacoma. McCaughan is the owner of a 7.07 ERA across 14 appearances at the big-league level, appearing in just five games over the last two campaigns.
Marlins Acquire Darren McCaughan, Designate Peyton Burdick
The Miami Marlins have acquired right-handed pitcher Darren McCaughan from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. To make room for McCaughan on the 40-man roster, Miami designated outfielder Peyton Burdick for assignment. McCaughan, who will be 28 years old when the 2024 regular season begins, showed promise through limited major league action last year. Over the course of five innings, he struck out 10 batters while posting a 2.71 xFIP and 64.3 GB%. Although this was a small sample size, McCaughan has shown that he can be a contributor out of the bullpen. On the other hand, Burdick, who was designated for assignment, has struggled at all levels of pro ball, posting high strikeout rates, low OPS totals, and poor defensive metrics. He isn't expected to make an impact at the big-league level anytime soon, regardless of whether he remains with the Marlins or joins another organization.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Darren McCaughan was not up to the task of facing the Houston Astros Monday, allowing seven runs on eight hits and a walk in four innings of work. He struck out two batters, and three of his eight hits allowed went for home runs. Despite a sparkling debut in his last outing, McCaughan was not considered a top prospect for a reason, and he is well off the fantasy radar with an ERA of 8.00 in nine innings.
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that rookie right-hander Darren McCaughan would likely start on Monday against the Houston Astros. "He's earned a second chance with his performance yesterday," Dipoto said. McCaughan allowed one run on no hits while walking three and striking out none in five innings in his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. The 25-year-old also had a decent 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 59 innings over 10 starts for Triple-A Tacoma before his call-up, but he had fanned only 46 hitters and has never been a big strikeout guy in the minors. He'll be worth a look in AL-only leagues if he sticks in Seattle's starting rotation, but he'll be much more of a risk as a streamer in his first actual major league start against the Astros next week.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Darren McCaughan made his major league debut Wednesday afternoon and didn't allow a hit in five innings, though he did walk three batters and allow one earned run. McCaughan is an unheralded prospect, but he could be in line for some time in the Mariners rotation amidst injuries to Justin Dunn and Justus Sheffield, among others, though fantasy managers don't need to rush to add him.
Darren McCaughan
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Twins
