John

McMillon

McMillon struggled in 30 innings at Triple-A for the Royals but has pitched well for Miami since being claimed off waivers, registering a 1,50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. Given how little time is left in the season, it’s possible that McMillon is done for the season. Jeff Lindgren was called up to take his place on the active roster.

Lindgren is 2-5 with a 6.19 ERA in 75 2/3 innings between Triple-A Jacksonville and Double-A Pensacola this season. He made his Major League debut with Miami in 2023, recording a 5.14 ERA with four walks and one strikeout in three relief appearances. He will replace John McMillon, who was placed on the IL.

McMillon’s velocity was down, and the Marlins got him out of the game quickly. “I knew something was up the second pitch,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “I went out there -- he said he didn’t feel right, so that’s when we pulled him.” McMillon was one potential closing option for the Marlins with Calvin Faucher on the IL, but Anthony Bender and Declan Cronin were probably ahead of him in line for saves.

It’s unclear where the Marlins will turn in the late innings as Faucher had emerged as their primary closer since the trade deadline when they jettisoned both Tanner Scott and A.J. Puk. It’ll likely be John McMillon getting the first shot, if a save situation arises. The 28-year-old righty, who has converted six saves to go along with a stellar 2.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 27/9 K/BB ratio across 19 2/3 innings (20 appearances) since July 19, is most likely done for the rest of the season, but that remains to be seen. There should be some clarity on his status in the coming days.

McMillon, who looked like the Royals’ closer of the future at this time a year ago, is up with the Marlins following just one minor league appearance in the system. A disastrous first half got him waived by the Royals, but he has pitched better of late. Overall, he had a 6.32 ERA and a 37/27 K/BB in 31 1/3 innings in Triple-A.

McMillon, 26, has spent the entire 2024 season at Triple-A Omaha where he has registered a troublesome 6.53 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 35/26 K/BB ratio over 30 1/3 innings in 28 appearances out of the bullpen. He’ll add bullpen depth in the upper minors for the Marlins.

The Royals needed to make room on the 40-man roster for newly acquired Paul DeJong, so they decided to move on from McMillon, who is currently pitching to a 6.53 ERA in 30 1/3 innings at Triple-A Omaha. He could remain in the organization if he clears waivers.

The Kansas City bullpen is shaping up as a problem. Smith has given up six runs in 2 2/3 innings. James McArthur also allowed two runs tonight, leaving him with a 12.00 ERA after three appearances. John McMillon, the team’s best hope to run away with the closer’s role, gave up four runs in his first Triple-A appearance. John Schreiber might actually be worth a speculative pickup here, since there’s just not much reason to expect Smith to be very good going forward.

McMillon will have to wait to become the Royals’ primary closer as he’ll start the 2024 campaign in the minors. The 26-year-old only pitched in two spring games, but in those games, he allowed two hits across two innings of work. Kansas City is expected to roll out Will Smith as the Opening Day closer, but any sense of struggle could have McMillon back in the big leagues at some point this season.

He allowed a single and struck out one. McMillon, the biggest threat to run away with the closer’s role in Kansas City, finished last year on the shelf with a forearm strain. The Royals are slated to go with Will Smith initially in the ninth this season, but McMillon and James McArthur both offer higher ceilings than the lefty.