Twins Make Low-Risk Bullpen Addition With Ron Marinaccio Signing

The Minnesota Twins have signed right-handed pitcher Ron Marinaccio to a minor-league contract Saturday, according to the team’s transaction log. It provides the Twins with an added layer of depth at the minor-league level in case of another pitching injury.

About Marinaccio

Reds relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) pitches against the Miami Marlins — Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) pitches at Great American Ball Park. Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Marinaccio made his MLB debut in 2022 with the Yankees, making the team out of spring training and finding himself pitching in some leverage as the season went on. Over time, Marinaccio became largely ineffective at the MLB level and was on the shuttle between the big leagues and AAA.

Marinaccio was designated for assignment in 2024 and picked up by the Padres. He spent the 2025 season the same way he did in 2023 and 2024 with the Yankees, between AAA and the big leagues. Marinaccio has been designated for assignment three times over the past month by the Padres, the Pirates, and the Reds.

What the Twins can unlock

Pirates relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks — Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio (97) pitches at PNC Park. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There is talent in the arm of Marinaccio. It’s why he keeps getting jobs in different organizations. In a career-high 57⅔ innings of work this season, Marinaccio has a 1-0 record with a 6.09 ERA. The 48 strikeouts that Marinaccio has this season are below league average according to Statcast, with it ranking in the 23rd percentile. Marrinacio also owns a 1.72 HR/9 rate, which is not good for a reliever, with the goal being to keep the ball in the ballpark.

It’s totally possible that the Twins can unlock something in his arm. Marinaccio comes to the Twins with a fastball, changeup, cutter, and sweeper, all rated below average, according to Statcast. Fixing his stuff is the first step towards improvement. Marinaccio relies on balls in play, and his xERA is much lower, sitting at 5.18, than his regular ERA, which is still not ideal.

The key is to suppress hard contact and keep the ball in the ballpark. If the Twins' pitching development can alter some of his mechanics, they might unlock something and could have themselves a diamond in the rough.

If nothing else for the Twins, Marinaccio gives them another arm of depth in case injuries pile up in the bullpen as the season begins to wind down. For the moment, Marinaccio will be assigned to AAA and pitch for the Saint Paul Saints and remain there until there is a need for his services on the MLB club.

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