Red Sox reliever Vinny Nittoli is weighing Tommy John or internal brace surgery, reports Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The righty has been diagnosed with ligament damage in his elbow and is seemingly headed for a season-ending operation.
Nittoli is in camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor league contract last month. He made three appearances this spring, allowing four runs over 2 2/3 innings. Manager Alex Cora told Mac Cerullo of The Boston Herald on Wednesday that the team was awaiting imaging results after Nittoli reported elbow discomfort during his most recent appearance. The news obviously wasn’t what he had been hoping.
The 35-year-old Nittoli is on the 12th organization of a decade-long professional career. He has pitched at the highest level for five teams. His career high in MLB appearances with one team is seven, as he threw eight innings for the Athletics in 2024. Nittoli has had cups of coffee with the Mariners, Phillies, Mets and Orioles as well. He has logged 18 2/3 major league innings, striking out 13 against five walks while allowing five runs.
A former 25th round pick, Nittoli has spent six seasons at the Triple-A level. He owns a 4.76 earned run average in 223 innings despite a strong 28.3% strikeout rate. Nittoli combined for a 4.58 ERA with a 26% strikeout percentage and 8% walk rate between Baltimore’s and Milwaukee’s top affiliates last year.
career era 2.41
career whip 1.071
released 8 times
don’t see that combo very often
At age 35 still seeking that elusive 1st year of service time, despite playing for 12 orgs, and in the show with 5…
Bless him for still pushing to achieve that dream.
Does make you wonder what teams saw that they didn’t like.
Well, admittedly those stats are based on 18-2/3 innings. Wilbur Wood pitched that many over a holiday weekend.
Wilbur Wood…first knuckle-baller to figure out how winds affected his pitch, & adjust accordingly. Led the league twice with 24 victories, one year finishing 24-20 ! Absolute Ironman !!
Wilbur Wood…377 innings in 1972.
Dang. That sucks.
It’s from carrying his bags from team to team.
Yo, Vinny, it’s a no show job, get out your shine box!
In other news, Jet Blue Park cafeteria worker favorite, “Wayno”, undergoing kidney transplant…
Vinny needed a break and got a tear instead. That sucks. He’s persistent enough to try again in 2027.
I must admit ,I did not know who this guy is…
Might be time to hang up the glove and open a Deli…
He makes this Xavier alum proud. Real grinder. Someone we can all cheer for.
He is still getting looks from MLB teams.Why give up now.You only get to play one time.As you get older,the opportunities disappear.I think you let the dream,dry up.You can then move on with no regrets.
He’s that kid who always got picked last in gym class because nobody expects him to do much, and yet when the moment came where he had to make an important play, he balled out in those moments and shocked everyone. Story of his career it seems.
Regardless of which procedure he chooses, it shouldn’t be Boston’s responsibility to pay. He was an NRI. His arm wore out from his decade of team changing. It’s not like he got hit by the team bus.
With a name like that, shouldn’t he be suiting up for Team Italy in the WBC?
He probably doesn’t have insurance, which is why he signed this milb deal.