SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Gonzaga Bulldogs pitcher William Kempner made his major league debut with the Miami Marlins last night.
Kempner pitched a perfect inning of relief, which included his first major league strikeout of Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser.
The righthander was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 2022 after three years pitching at Gonzaga.
On January 15, 2025, Kempner was traded to the Marlins in exchange for international pool money.
He was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday morning after pitcher Chris Paddack was designated for assignment.
Kempner was sent back to Jacksonville on Wednesday as the Marlins try to keep bullpen arms fresh in a stretch of 26 games in 27 days.
Kempner joins Casey Legumina (Seattle Mariners/Tampa Bay Rays), Alek Jacob (San Diego Padres) and Eli Morgan (Kansas City Royals) as former Zags who have pitched in the major leagues this season.