SAN FRANCISCO – The Chicago Cubs today signed right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli to a major league contract and placed right-handed pitcher Javier Assad on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm extensor strain (retroactive to June 24). To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Yency Almonte has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Nittoli, 33, had appeared in seven games this season with the Oakland Athletics, all in relief, and posted a 2.25 ERA (2 ER/8.0 IP) with one loss. In 20 games with Triple-A Las Vegas, he was 3-1 with three saves, a 2.70 ERA (7 ER/23.1 IP) and 36 strikeouts (13.89 K/9).
Nittoli first joined the Cubs organization in 2023 on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. He played 16 games with the Iowa Cubs (1-1, 3.48) before being traded to the New York Mets on June 23, 2023 for cash considerations.
The six-foot one-inch righty from Tempe, Ariz. made his major league debut June 23, 2021, with the Seattle Mariners. In 13 career major league appearances, all out of the bullpen, Nittoli is 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA (5 ER/14.2 IP) between the Mariners (one game, 2021), the Phillies (two games, 2022), the Mets (three games, 2023) and the A’s (seven games, 2024). He was originally selected by Seattle in the 25th round of the 2014 draft out of Xavier University.
Assad, 26, is 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA (28 ER/83.0 IP) in 16 starts with the Cubs this season.
Almonte, 30, was originally placed on the 15-day injured list May 8 with a right shoulder strain.
The Cubs play the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park today at 2:45 p.m. CT in a game that can be seen on Marquee Sports Network and heard on 670 the Score.
