Joe

Gunkel

Gunkel returns to stateside affiliated ball after spending the last two seasons pitching for the Softbank Hawks of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. The 32-year-old righty has yet to reach the majors after spending close to a decade in the minors.

Gunkel spent the last three seasons pitching in relief for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. The 30-year-old righty never made it to the majors and last appeared in the minor leagues for the Marlins back in 2019.

The move puts the 24-year-old hurler on the 40-man roster and protects him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. He split his 2016 season between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, compiling a 4.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 109/21 K/BB ratio over 161 innings.

No surprise here. Gunkel is a middling prospect and allowed three runs over three innings this spring.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for 1B/OF prospect Cody Bellinger, who’s making his major league debut on Tuesday night against the Giants. Gunkel was acquired from the Orioles on April 10 in a minor trade. He’s a 25-year-old with a 4.07 career ERA at Triple-A.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Miguel Castro. Gunkel, 25, isn’t much of a prospect and could clear waivers.

Gunkel had been designated for assignment last week. The 25-year-old held a 4.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 109/21 K/BB ratio over 161 innings between Double- and Triple-A last season.

Gunkel was designated for assignment by Los Angeles earlier this week to clear a 40-man roster spot for top prospect Cody Bellinger. The 25-year-old right-hander owns a 3.32 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 362/75 K/BB ratio in 439 1/3 career minor league innings.

Gunkel had been designated for assignment, but he’s cleared waivers and will remain in the organization.

Miami claimed Gunkel off waivers from the Dodgers at the end of April, but the 25-year-old right-hander lasted just two weeks with his new organization. He owns an underwhelming 4.07 ERA in 150 1/3 career innings at the Triple-A level. Gunkel has never appeared in a major league game.