CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 12: Tristan Peters #29 of the Chicago White Sox scores a run after a wild pitch by Ron Marinaccio #97 of the Cincinnati Reds during the eighth inning at Rate Field on August 12, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images) Getty
It didn't take long for former San Diego Padres relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio to find a new team. The right-hander has agreed to a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins , per Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The Twins signed Ron Marinaccio to a minor league contract, assigning him to Class AAA St. Paul. Marinaccio owned a 6.09 ERA in 57 2/3 innings this year with the Padres, Pirates and Reds. He's totaled 48 strikeouts and 27 walks.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr.bsky.social) 2026-08-22T19:44:11.985Z
Marinaccio, 31, began the season with the Padres. The right-hander made 33 appearances with San Diego, pitching to a 4.79 ERA and 5.30 FIP in 47 innings. He mostly pitched in mop-up scenarios, particularly when the team was too far behind to catch up.
San Diego originally acquired the right-hander off waivers in January 2025 from the Chicago White Sox . He bounced around the waiver wire that offseason, having previously pitched for the Yankees .
The Padres eventually moved on from the right-hander, designating him for assignment on July 19. San Diego activated Randy Vasquez and Wandy Peralta for that game, with Marinaccio deemed expendable.
In parts of two seasons with the Padres, Marinaccio has a 4.06 ERA in 57.2 innings.
GettyRon Marinaccio bounced around two different NL Central teams after his stint with the Padres. (Photo by Jayden Mack/Getty Images)
Four days after his DFA from the Padres, Ron Marinaccio was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates . The right-hander lasted just four appearances in Pittsburgh, allowing four runs in 5.1 innings.
Marinaccio found himself back on the waiver wire on August 3, when the Pirates designated him for assignment. The club had made a flurry of trades with their bullpen, acquiring three relievers at the deadline in separate trades.
His next step on the waiver carousel was the Cincinnati Reds . The Reds claimed the right-hander on August 6. His last outing for the Pirates also came against Cincinnati.
That led to another opportunity to pitch in the big leagues. With the Reds, Marinaccio allowed 10 runs in 5.1 innings. He pitched in mop-up duty, with Cincinnati losing all four games he appeared in by at least four runs.
The Reds designated Marinaccio for assignment on August 17. After clearing waivers, Cincinnati tried to outright the right-hander to Triple-A Louisville. However, with three years of service time, Marinaccio elected free agency instead.
By electing free agency, Marinaccio forfeited the remainder of his 2026 salary, which was roughly $806K. With just five weeks left in the season, he chose an opportunity to pitch elsewhere instead. Perhaps also fitting is that the Padres are currently playing the Twins when the news broke.
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