- RHP Sam Gardner released by AA Biloxi
An undrafted free agent signing out of independent ball in May 2023, the now 28-year old Gardner was one of the top relief pitchers in the whole of Minor League Baseball over the past 2 seasons (2.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 12.3 K/9 in 81.2 IP, including an astounding 0.87 WHIP in AA ball last year). This hurts.
Gardner was placed on the injured list on August 18, 2024, so perhaps this release is injury-related.