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Marlins designate Jarrod Saltalamacchia for assignment

Brad Penner / USA TODAY Sports

Jarrod Saltalamacchia received some crushing news Monday afternoon, shortly after enjoying what was surely one of the finest moments of his life.

Saltalamacchia, who signed a three-year, $21-million contract with the Miami Marlins prior to the 2014 campaign, was designated for assignment Monday immediately after being reinstated from the paternity list.

The 31-year-old stumbled through a disappointing season with the Marlins last summer, and was quickly supplanted on the depth chart by prospect J.T. Realmuto after going just 2-for-29 (.069) with 12 strikeouts through his first nine games this season.

"Am I mad? Yeah I'm mad, I want to play," Saltalamacchia told Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post less than two weeks ago. "I'm not going to hurt this team. I'm not going to be the reason that causes a distraction."

With two years and $15 million remaining on his contract, Saltalamacchia is not expected to be claimed on waivers and will likely be released if the Marlins are unable to find a team willing to trade for him. Saltalamacchia can reject an outright assignment to the minor leagues as he has accrued more than five years of MLB service time.

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