The Mets have added right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli to their minor league roster, according to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. Nittoli, who became a free agent after turning down an outright assignment from the Orioles in early August, is returning to Queens for his second stint with the Mets after previously appearing in three games with them in 2023.
Since being drafted in the 25th round by the Mariners in 2014, Nittoli has played for 11 different teams. He has appeared in the major leagues with five of these teams from 2021 to 2024. In 2024, he pitched 12 innings, marking the majority of his 18 2/3 career MLB innings, and he holds a 1.50 ERA during those innings with the Athletics and Orioles.
Reflecting his journeyman career, Nittoli has joined his fourth team in the past two months. He began the 2024 season with a minor league deal from the Athletics but was soon designated for assignment and released when he chose free agency over an outright minor league assignment. He then signed a major league contract with the Cubs but was DFA’d the day after, making it the second time he was part of the Cubs organization without appearing in a game. After that, he joined the Orioles on a minor league deal, making two MLB appearances before being DFA’d again.
Despite a career minor league ERA of 4.33 in 320 innings, Nittoli has shown enough potential to attract teams looking for long relief options. This season, he has achieved a career-best 36% strikeout rate in 26 1/3 Triple-A innings and a strong 2.73 ERA with the top affiliates of the Athletics and Orioles.
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