The Marlins selected the contracts of and ahead of the Rule 5 deadline, the team announced to reporters (including ). These moves leave the team with three open spots remaining on the 40-man roster. Maldonado, 25, could pitch for Miami at some point next season. The right-handed reliever had a strong year at Triple-A in 2023, pitching 46 innings with a 1.76 ERA, nine saves, and a 39.4% strikeout rate. Those are promising numbers indeed, although its much harder to mi s bats in the majors than it is at Triple-A, so Maldonado still has his work cut out for him to prove that hes ready for a bigger role. Nonethele s, the Marlins clearly like what they have seen enough to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Mesa, 22, isnt as close to being ready for the majors, but Maikel Garcia Jersey with his quick legs and strong defense in center field, another club certainly couldve picked him up and stashed him on their active roster in 2024. Miamis No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, his glove and contact skills give him a high floor, while his power potential gives him a high ceiling, especially if he can stick in center field as he ages. Somewhat surprisingly, the Marlins chose not to protect . The 26-year-old lefty batter had a phenomenal season in 2023, batting .307 and slugging 26 home runs in 134 games between Double- and Triple-A. However, given his age and position he is a first baseman who can cover an outfield corner in a pinch Johnston really needs to hit in order to stick on a major league roster. Thats precisely what he did last season, but he has yet to prove he can do so consistently at the highest level. Moreover, the Marlins already have plugged in at first base, and theyre to bring back at DH. Evidently, they decided they did not have room for Johnston on the major league roster. Buddy Biancalana Jersey