Marlins lose two in Rule 5 draft, add two pitchers as winter meetings roll on
The Marlins, at least momentarily, left open a spot on their 40-man roster on Wednesday when they decided not to make a selection in the major-league portion of the annual Rule 5 draft.
But the Marlins added two players during the minor-league portion: right-handed pitchers Jake Smith and Livon Reinoso. Those players are not required to be added to the 40-man roster.
Smith had a 3.92 ERA and five saves in 39 appearances in High A and Double A in the Angels’ system last season. He has pitched out of the bullpen the past three seasons and is 9-15 with a 5.61 ERA in five minor-league seasons.
Reinoso had a 4.14 ERA and one save in 38 appearances in High A and Double A in the Dodgers’ system. He’s 12-8 and with a 4.15 ERA in four minor-league seasons.
Miami lost two players (both right-handed pitchers) in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft — Matt Pushard to the Cardinals and Zach McCambley to the Phillies.
McCambley, the Marlins’ third-round pick out of Coastal Carolina in 2020, had a 2.90 ERA in 47 games at Double A Pensacola and Triple A Jacksonville in 2025. He went 17-22 with a 4.27 ERA for the Marlins over five seasons.
Pushard, who has been in the Marlins’ system since 2022, was 4-5 with a 3.61 ERA and four saves at Triple A Jacksonville last season. He was 10-12 with a 3.21 ERA in four seasons in the Marlins’ organization.
Prominent Marlins who were bypassed in the Rule 5 draft include former first-round pick Jacob Berry and first baseman Nathan Martorella, who was acquired with Jakob Marsee, since-released pitcher Woo-Suk Go and outfielder Dillion Head in the May 2024 Luis Arraez trade with San Diego. Both remain part of the Marlins’ organization.
International players and high school draft picks who signed in 2020 and college draft picks signed in 2021 who have not yet been added to their club’s 40-man roster were available in the draft.
Teams must pay $100,000 to draft a player. If the player does not stick on their new team’s 26-man roster for the entire season, he must be offered back to his original club for $50,000.
Dan Uggla — who had 154 homers and 465 RBI in five seasons as a Marlin — remains the best Rule 5 pickup in Marlins history, but Liam Hicks was a helpful addition last season, producing a .346 on-base average and driving in 45 runs in 390 plate appearances while playing catcher, first base and designated hitter.
Meanwhile the Marlins remain active in trade discussions at baseball’s Winter Meetings, which conclude Thursday in Orlando. Multiple teams, including Baltimore, have pursued pitcher Edward Cabrera, but the Marlins are seeking a lot in return. Pitcher Ryan Weathers also has attracted trade interest.
Here’s what Marlins president/baseball operations Peter Bendix said this week.
And here’s news on the Marlins draft slot and some news from manager Clayton McCullough.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 3:38 PM.
