Marlins Release Bradley Blalock

The Marlins released right-hander Bradley Blalock, according to the MLB.com transaction tracker. Kevin Barral of Fish On First suggests that the 25-year-old is likely to pursue an overseas opportunity. Miami’s 40-man roster tally drops to 35.

Blalock spent one season in South Florida. The Marlins acquired him from the Rockies in January. Blalock made four MLB appearances in a mop-up role, allowing seven runs in 11 1/3 innings. He spent the rest of the season working as a starting pitcher with Triple-A Jacksonville. Blalock pitched 110 frames with a 5.56 ERA in the minors. He recorded roughly average strikeout (21.2%), walk (9.5%), and ground-ball (46.5%) marks.

A former 32nd round draft pick, Blalock has pitched parts of three seasons in MLB. He has allowed nearly eight earned runs per nine innings across 100 2/3 career frames. The 6’2″ righty also has an unimpressive 6.53 ERA at the Triple-A level, but some of that is driven by a nightmare season in the extremely hitter-friendly setting with the Rox’s affiliate in Albuquerque. Blalock throws seven pitches and averaged 96 mph with his fastball during his MLB work this year.