Merandy

Gonzalez

He was claimed off waivers from the Giants in March. He has been pitching at Double-A Springfield this year and owns a 6.75 ERA in 21 relief appearances.

Gonzalez was designated for assignment by San Francisco earlier this week. The 23-year-old right-hander owns a 5.73 career ERA at the major league level.

This move clears a 40-man roster spot for catcher Tom Murphy, who was claimed off waivers from the Rockies on Monday. Gonzalez, owner of a career 5.73 ERA at the big league level, could pass through waivers unclaimed and still wind up at Triple-A Sacramento to open the 2019 regular season. He was optioned out of the major league side of Giants camp on March 8.

The Giants claimed Gonzalez off waivers from the Marlins earlier this month. He’ll be part of Sacramento’s bullpen.

The 23-year-old has been a starter throughout his minor league career. He made his major league debut last year with the Marlins and registered a 5.73 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 22 innings over eight games (one start). The Marlins called him up directly from Double-A Jacksonville. Gonzalez has yet to pitch in Triple-A ball. He will battle for a bullpen role with the Giants but will probably begin the season in the minors.

Gonzalez is the centerpiece of the deal for Miami. The 21-year-old right-hander has had an impressive season, posting a 1.78 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 89/21 K/BB ratio across 106 innings between Class-A Columbia and High-A St. Lucie. He’ll have to be added to the 40-man roster this winter in order to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Gonzalez gave up just two hits, didn’t walk anyone, and struck out four. Since coming over to the Marlins in the A.J. Ramos trade, Gonzalez has posted a 1.28 ERA. That sample size is small, but his overall 1.72 ERA is still pretty darn impressive. There’s two plus pitches in his right arm, and the change has made progress. It’s more high-floor than high-ceiling, but Gonzalez should end up pitching in a rotation someday.

Gonzalez was working out of the rotation at Jacksonville, but it looks like the Marlins are planning to use him in long relief -- at least initially. The 22-year-old right-hander owns an impressive 2.54 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 332 strikeouts in 379 2/3 career minor league innings.

Richards threw 62 of his 100 pitches for strikes, but manager Don Mattingly lifted him before he was able to qualify for the win. Merandy Gonzalez came into the game to finish off the fifth inning and rack up three relief innings and a win in relief. Richards, a former elementary school substitute teacher, is likely headed for the minors now as Wei-Yin Chen is ready to make his season debut this weekend.

Gonzalez has surrendered seven runs in 13 inning of relief this season at the major league level. He’ll work in low-leverage spots for the Marlins.