TODAY: Dunn’s MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage, but he does have a shoulder strain. (Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times was among those to report the news.) Dunn will be shut down from throwing for two weeks.
JUNE 18, 5:12 pm: As expected, the Mariners formally announced Nittoli’s selection. Reliever Yohan Ramirez has been recalled from Tacoma, while catcher Jose Godoy was optioned and Dunn was placed on the 10-day IL to create active roster space. Lewis was transferred to the 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot for Nittoli.
9:18 am: The Mariners on Friday will select the contract of right-hander Vinny Nittoli from Triple-A Tacoma, reports ESPN’s Jeff Passan (via Twitter). The move, which will require a corresponding 40-man transaction, marks the culmination of an eight-year journey to the big leagues for Nittoli — a 25th-round pick back in 2014 who turned 30 over the winter. The Mariners do have a pair of 60-day IL candidates in outfielder Kyle Lewis and first baseman Evan White, so either could be transferred over from the 10-day IL to accommodate Nittoli on the 40-man roster. White’s rehab from a hip strain was halted this week due to a setback.
It also appears likely that the M’s will place right-hander Justin Dunn on the 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old righty exited last night’s start after two shutout innings due to shoulder discomfort. Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported after the game that Dunn was headed for an MRI and could be placed on the IL for precautionary reasons, even if that imaging came back clean.
Nittoli was a senior sign by the Mariners out of Xavier University and spent three years solid but unremarkable numbers against younger competition in the lower levels of Seattle’s system. He was cut loose and spent the next two years pitching for the St. Paul Saints — then an independent club in the American Association — and for los Aguilas de Mexicali in the Mexican Winter League. Nittoli split the 2019 season between the Double-A affiliate for the Blue Jays and the Triple-A affiliate for the D-backs. He was set to spend the 2020 season in the Jays’ minor league ranks, but he wasn’t included in last summer’s 60-player pool following the resumption of play in the summer.
The well-traveled righty returned to the Mariners on a minor league deal over the winter, and he’s turned heads thus far in Tacoma. In a league that is once again seeing enormous levels of offensive output, Nittoli has held opponents to seven runs on 14 hits and five walks with 26 strikeouts in 18 innings out of the bullpen. The 3.50 ERA may not sound like much, but it ranks 37th in the entire league (min. 10 innings), and Nittoli is also fifth in Triple-A West with a 2.95 FIP and ninth with a 35.6 percent strikeout rate. It’s a small sample, of course, but his performance thus far has been strong.
As for Dunn, he’s out to a nice start in 2021 himself, having logged a 3.75 ERA through 50 1/3 frames. Location remains an issue for the righty, which was never more apparent than in his season debut when he walked eight batters in 4 2/3 frames. Since that woeful outing, Dunn has righted the ship with 45 2/3 innings of 3.55 ERA ball. He’s punched out 23.5 percent of his opponents in that time, and his 10.7 percent walk rate, while still north of the league average, is at least passable.
If Dunn indeed lands on the injured list, this would be his second such stint owing to shoulder discomfort. Dunn spent 10 days on the shelf with shoulder inflammation earlier this month and has only made two appearances since returning. It’s perhaps telling that he yielded five runs in three innings in the first of those two starts before exiting after two frames in last night’s effort.
first
Grade?
To be muted
Announcing your using the mute button is like posting about how you are going to delete your social media. Just do it and stop seeking attention.
Muted
I agree with this Nebraska fella, but this is clever…
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Gotta love Mr. Nittoli’s story. A 30 year old rookie. I hope he does great just to signal to our young people the value of perseverance.
As F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Don’t confuse a single defeat for a final defeat.”
That’s a cool story, lots of luck to Vinny Nittoli!
Is there a more Italian name than Vinny Nittoli? I can smell the pasta as I say it.
Rico Petrocelli could also be in that discussion for those of us old enough to remember him.
Good for Vinny for persevering.
I nominate Reno Bertoia (ber-TOY-uh), an infielder who played with the Tigers, Senators/Twins and A’s between 1953 and 1962… because Bertoia actually was born in Italy.
Vito Nottolini
Former Met and Phillie Rico Brogna had a good Italian name.
Rico Suave was also a former Red Sox. I was at the game when he cranked a pinch-hit walkoff Grand Salami. Probably the highlight of his career.
Tony Lazzeri
Fury Gene Tenace born Fiore Gino Tennaci; , better known as Gene Tenace
Not sure where his name got ‘Americanized’.
Joe DiMaggio?
Maybe the best Italian-American player, but Joe clearly loses to Vinny or Rico in the name department. Unless it is short for Giovanni which it wasn’t in his case.
Dominic DiMaggio is a contender, though.
Bro.
“Joe DiMaggio” is at least as an “Italian name” as “Vinny Nittoli”. Ya know?
Ehhh …. Joe isn’t an Italian-sounding name. If he went by Giuseppe instead of Joe, then you’ve got a case.
His brother Dominic …. now THAT is an Italian name.
Man…just knew so many Italian kids named “Joe” or “Joey” when I was growing up. A lot more than “Vinny(s)”.
Perhaps it was regional.
Or happenstance.
Not happenstance, I can explain.
San Giuseppe (Joseph) is to Italians what Saint Patrick is to the Irish. So naturally, many Italian parents named their sons after him. But back in the day Italian Americans were looked down upon and treated poorly, so Italian parents would Americanize their kid’s name to help them assimilate. Thus they would name their son Joseph instead of Giuseppe, and it’s St Joseph’s Day that is celebrated every March 19th.
Great story and congrats to Vinny Nittoli, it’s nice to see a real “Goodfella” finally make it to the majors.
The Mariners have become the Make-A-Wish Foundation of baseball, making major-league dreams come true before a player’s career dies.