Vinny

Nittoli

Bennett, who the Red Sox acquired from the Nationals for Luis Perales this offseason, made two spring training appearances, allowing three runs on five hits in three innings while striking out three. The 6'6" left-handed pitcher also flashed upper 90s velocity on his fastball while topping out at 98 mph, which is a significant increase from what he had shown with the Nationals. He also debuted a cutter that pounded the strike zone against righties. He could be a fast-rising prospect for the Red Sox this season. Boston also reassigned catchers Nate Baez and Ronald Rosario, RHPs Osvaldo Berrios, Hobie Harris, Vinny Nittoli, and Devin Sweet, and LHP Jeremy Wu-Yelland to minor league camp.

Nittoli, a 35-year-old reliever, has been on the cusp of the majors for a long time without ever getting a real opportunity; he has a career 2.41 ERA in 18 2/3 innings in brief stints with the Mariners, Phillies, Mets, A’s and Orioles. Last year, he missed some time due to the injury and had a 4.58 ERA in 39 1/3 innings as a Triple-A reliever with the Orioles and Brewers.

Nittoli opted out of his minor league deal with the Brewers last week after failing to receive a call-up this season. The 34-year-old righty appeared in two games for Baltimore last season, pitching four scoreless innings. He has a 2.41 ERA in 18 2/3 major league innings since debuting in 2021.

Nittoli opted out of his minor league contract with Milwaukee after posted a respectable 3.86 ERA across 28 innings (27 appearances) this season at the Triple-A level. The 34-year-old journeyman has made 15 appearances in the big leagues between five different organizations since 2021.

Hicklen gets the option rather than being reassigned because he’s on the 40-man roster. Despite having a perfect name for the roster, Brewer won’t be a Brewer to open the campaign. Misiorowski is the top pitching prospect in the system and likely will help the Brew Crew before the end of 2025.

Milwaukee has had success with their offseason dart throws in recent years and Nittoli seems like a decent fit after pitching well in nine relief outings last year between the Athletics and Orioles. The 33-year-old righty will compete in spring training for a spot in the Brewers’ season-opening bullpen.

Nittoli heads to Triple-A Syracuse as extra relief depth for the Mets after making nine appearances this season between the Athletics and Orioles. The 33-year-old righty should be an option for New York very soon.

Nittoli was designated for assignment on Friday but went unclaimed and decided to elect free agency instead of accepting an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. The 33-year-old has been a part of three organizations this season while allowing two earned runs on 10 hits in 12 innings. He has struck out eight batters and walked two. He’ll hope to find an opportunity somewhere else.

The Orioles needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster after acquiring Zach Eflin from the Rays on Friday and unfortunately Nittoli pulled the short straw this time. The 33-year-old hurler could once again generate interest on waivers from teams that are searching for bullpen depth.

Nittoli arrives in Baltimore as extra relief depth just a couple weeks after inking a minor league contract with the club. The well-traveled 33-year-old righty sipped a quick cup of coffee with the Cubs earlier this month after making a handful of appearances for the rebuilding Athletics.