Vinny Nittoli Opts Out Of Mets Deal

Right-hander Vinny Nittoli opted out of his minor league deal with the Mets and is once again a free agent, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. He’ll head back to the open market and continue his 2024 tour of the league.

The Mets were the fourth organization to sign Nittoli this season alone. He began the year in the A’s system after signing a minor league contract over the winter. After being selected to Oakland’s big league roster and later designated for assignment, Nittoli elected free agency and has since signed a minor league deal with the Orioles, a big league deal with the Cubs and a minors pact with the Mets. The Cubs cut ties with Nittoli before he got into a game with them, but he did also pitch for the Orioles in addition to some work with the A’s.

In 12 innings this year, Nittoli carries a 1.50 ERA, 17.4% strikeout rate and 4.3% walk rate. He’s only pitched a total of 18 2/3 major league innings overall, during which time he’s logged a 2.41 ERA. Nittoli’s primary pitch this season has been a cutter that’s sat in the 89-90 mph range, and he’s paired that with a slider and occasional curveball. He’s been sharp in Triple-A as well, pitching 30 innings of 3.60 ERA ball between the A’s, O’s and Mets. During that Triple-A run, Nittoli has fanned a hefty 33.9% of his opponents against a 9.4% walk rate.

Nittoli can now look to latch on with another club, and if he’s with a new organization on or before Aug. 31, he’d be a postseason-eligible depth piece. He might not get an immediate look in the big leagues, although with rosters set to expand from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1, it’d be easier for a new club to give him a look at the MLB level.