The worst was feared for Boston Red Sox roster hopeful Vinny Nittoli after suffering a spring training elbow injury, and on Friday, the worst was confirmed.
In his last outing, which came on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, Nittoli experienced some elbow pain, and earlier this week, the Red Sox shut him down. Any time you hear "elbow" when it comes to a pitcher, the immediate instinct is to worry about the prospect of Tommy John surgery, and it appears that's the route Nittoli is headed.
On Thursday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reported that Nittoli needed surgery, and would either undergo the full Tommy John procedure or the less invasive internal brace option. Either would end his 2026 season, but it's more feasible that he could return for the start of 2027 if it's only the internal brace.
"Reliever Vinny Nittoli, in camp on a minor league contract, tore a ligament in his right elbow and is visiting Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas to determine which major operation to get: Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure," Healey wrote.
It's a brutal blow for Nittoli, who has a 2.41 major league ERA in just 15 outings, and was hoping for a chance to return to the league for the first time since 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles. He spent last year on a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Nittoli's odds of contributing to the Red Sox's major league roster weren't particularly high when he first signed, but it's still a tough blow for the team to lose depth this early, and obviously a far tougher one for Nittoli.