Baltimore Orioles v New York Yankees / Luke Hales/GettyImages

What a rough road for (former!) New York Yankees reliever Ron Marinaccio. He was designated for assignment last week in what was viewed as a harsh move, considering there were far worse relievers given a much longer leash.

Not to mention, Marinaccio was a savior in 2022 as a rookie before he was affected by a shin injury. Then came 2023, where he was lost, but he took his lumps that year and got back on track for an all-important 2024.

He started the season off hot. He had a 1.42 ERA through May 9, but was then optioned to Triple-A as the Yankees prioritized keeping Dennis Santana on the roster. Santana was then sent packing a month later.

Marinaccio returned to the bigs after that, but wasn’t quite the same. Maybe some of the luck he was gifted from April 13 – May 9 had run out. Or maybe the Yankees demoting him when he was objectively pitching well affected his confidence.

Either way, he allowed eight runs over his next 10 2/3 innings, which were his final appearances with the Yankees. They had seen enough after last week. Potentially hoping he would pass through waivers, the Yankees lost out on Monday, as Marinaccio was claimed by the MLB-worst Chicago White Sox.

Yankees News: Former reliever Ron Marinaccio claimed by Chicago White Sox

Back in August, the Yankees designated reliever Enyel De Los Santos and he was also claimed by the White Sox, so it’s clear Chicago is trying to get lucky with players that go through New York. Maybe Drew Thorpe convinced them that was the proper route.

But this is really a depressing turn of events for Marinaccio, who had worked his way back into the Yankees’ good graces only to be pushed aside because of the availability of his valuable minor-league options. That might have affected his development and standing on a contending roster.

Now, he could remain with the worst team in MLB history for years to come. Marinaccio is controllable through the 2028 season, and everything is looking bleak in Chicago. The White Sox secured their 120th loss of the season on Sunday, and are just one away from setting a new all-time record in the modern era (the 1962 Mets in their first year as an expansion team finished 40-120).

The Toms River, NJ, native deserved better than this, and most Yankees fans would agree.