Red Sox Pitcher Reportedly Underwent Season-Ending Elbow Surgery originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly lost a pitcher for the 2026 season.

Advertisement

Vinny Nittoli underwent an internal brace procedure Thursday on his right elbow, per Ari Alexander of 7News Boston. The relief pitcher will miss the entire season but could resume throwing this winter after avoiding Tommy John surgery.

Boston signed Nittoli to a minor league deal as a non-roster invite in early February. The team reassigned the 35-year-old to their minor league camp amid Monday’s first round of roster cuts.

Nittoli, a 25th-round pick in 2014, made his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners in 2021. He pitched just one inning that year before working two scoreless frames for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022 and pitching three times for the New York Mets the following year.

The righty received his most extended look when allowing two runs over eight innings in 2024 for the Oakland Athletics, who then released him. Nittoli logged four scoreless innings for the Baltimore Orioles later that season.

Advertisement

He also pitched for minor league affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, so the Red Sox represented his 12th organization. Nittoli has a 4.41 ERA and 410 strikeouts in 363 career minor league innings.

The Red Sox will lose a depth piece for a bullpen led by Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock. Boston added another well-traveled veteran by signing southpaw Danny Coulombe on Thursday.

More MLB: Red Sox Role Player Placed On 60-Day IL After Undergoing Surgery