Nicolino signed a minor-league contract with the Reds on Thursday and was assigned to Triple-A Louisville.
He made his Louisville debut Sunday, giving up six earned runs on six hits and three walks over 3.1 innings while taking the loss. The appearance was Nicolino's first in affiliated ball since 2019, as the 30-year-old had stints in the Chinese Professional Baseball League and the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball before getting an opportunity with the Reds. Nicolino previously made 50 appearances in the majors with the Marlins from 2015 through 2017, logging a 4.65 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 201.1 innings over that stretch.
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Justin Nicolino: Signs overseas
Rotowire
Nicolino signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
Nicolino is headed overseas after spending the past two seasons at Triple-A. The 28-year-old southpaw owns a career 4.65 ERA And 1.46 WHIP across parts of three big-league seasons (201.1 innings).
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White Sox's Justin Nicolino: Lands with White Sox
Rotowire
Nicolino signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.
It didn't take long for Nicolino to find a new home after being released by the Twins earlier in the week. The southpaw compiled a 5.12 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB though 19.1 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) with Triple-A Rochester before being cut loose. He'll provide starting pitching depth for the White Sox, who just lost Carlos Rodon to an elbow injury.
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Justin Nicolino: Released by Twins
Rotowire
Nicolino was released by the Twins on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of ZoneCoverage.com reports.
Nicolino compiled a 5.12 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 13:8 K:BB through 19.1 innings (four starts, one relief appearance) with Triple-A Rochester before being cut loose. The 27-year-old southpaw, who owns a career 4.65 ERA across parts of three major-league seasons (201.1 innings), will look to latch on elsewhere as organizational depth.
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Twins' Justin Nicolino: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
Nicolino was assigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Nicolino has allowed just one run in 5.2 innings this spring, though he was always a long shot at best to break camp with the team. The lefty has a 4.65 ERA in 201.1 major-league innings and spent the entirety of 2018 at the Triple-A level.
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Twins' Justin Nicolino: Signs with Minnesota
Rotowire
Nicolino signed a minor-league contract with the Twins on Wednesday which includes an invitation to spring training.
After being waived by the Marlins last March, Nicolino was scooped up by the Reds and spent the entire 2018 campaign with Triple-A Louisville. The left-hander made 24 starts (and one relief appearance) for the Bats, posting a 4.69 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 5.8 K/9 across 134.1 innings. The 27-year-old Nicolino owns a lackluster 4.65 ERA and 3.8 K/9 across parts of three major-league seasons (201.1 innings), so he seems unlikely to make an impact in the majors in 2019.
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Reds' Justin Nicolino: Outrighted to Triple-A
Rotowire
Nicolino was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
The Reds were able to pass Nicolino through waivers unclaimed after claiming him from the Marlins over the weekend, so he'll report to Triple-A to open the season. At this point, it's unclear if the team plans to use him as a starter or long reliever in 2018. Across 48 innings with the Marlins last season, Nicolino posted a lackluster 5.06 ERA and 26:20 K:BB.
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Reds' Justin Nicolino: Claimed by Reds
Rotowire
Nicolino was claimed off waivers by the Reds on Sunday.
Nicolino was recently designated for assignment by the rebuilding Marlins after posting a 5.23 ERA and 1.84 WHIP over 10.1 spring training innings. It's unclear if he'll be used in a starter or long-reliever capacity for the Reds at this point, so that's certainly remains something worth monitoring. The 26-year-old is not a strikeout pitcher (11.4 percent in 2017) and is coming off a 2017 season in which he put up a 5.06 ERA and 26:20 K:BB in 48 innings with the Marlins.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Expected to make roster
Rotowire
Nicolino is expected to make the Marlins' roster as either a starter or a reliever, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.
Nicolino posted a 5.06 ERA with a 5.55 FIP in 48 innings for the Marlins last season. The 26-year-old lefty is still part of the rotation battle, especially after teammates Adam Conley, Dillon Peters, and Jarlin Garcia were all sent to the minors Friday. If he doesn't win a rotation spot, he's likely to find himself in the bullpen, though he'll hardly be a fantasy weapon in either case unless he unexpectedly finds a new level of performance.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Still part of rotation battle
Rotowire
Nicolino is still in the running for one of the Marlins' three open rotation spots, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald reports.
He's had a solid spring so far, posting a 6:2 K:BB in six innings, but Nicolino also has an ace up his sleeve in the rotation battle due to the fact that he's out of minor-league options. The 26-year-old lefty is probably one of the favorites to break camp in the rotation as a result, although there's still plenty of time in camp for him to give that spot away. Plus, even if does win a spot, his career 4.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and incredibly low 3.6 K.9 through 201.1 big-league innings make him all but unrosterable in most fantasy formats.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: In rotation mix
Rotowire
Nicolino is competing for one of the Marlins' final three rotation spots in spring training, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.
Nicolino will join a group of around 10 other pitchers auditioning for a spot in the Marlins' rotation, which currently only has two Opening Day locks in Dan Straily and Jose Urena. In 20 appearances for Miami in 2017, which included eight starts, the 26-year-old notched a lackluster 5.06 ERA and 26:20 K:BB across 48 innings. He posted a more respectable 3.87 ERA in 12 starts (79 innings) with Triple-A New Orleans, though that came with a similarly poor 51:24 K:BB. While an impressive spring could see Nicolino break camp in the rotation, he'll primarily be used to eat innings and doesn't figure to hold any significant fantasy value in 2018.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Used in long relief Monday
Rotowire
Nicolino came on in relief during Monday's 11-2 loss to the Nationals, tossing 2.1 innings and giving up three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out one batter.
The Marlins haven't officially named their starters for all seven of their games this week, but the fact that Nicolino was used out of the bullpen Monday suggests he won't be in line to make what would have been his next turn in the rotation Thursday against the Phillies. Entering play Monday, Nicolino had carried a middling 5.45 ERA and 5.2 K/9 rate over 33 innings on the season, and he did little in long relief in the series opener with Washington to justify another look in a starting role later in the week. Instead, it appears that Odrisamer Despagine, who tossed six innings of one-run ball when a spot starter was needed last Saturday against the Padres, is now the leading candidate to fill the opening in the rotation for Thursday.
Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Departs early after six-run bombardment
Rotowire
Nicolino (2-2) lasted only 2.1 innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Phillies, giving up six runs on eight hits and a pair of walks.
Well, that was ugly. Injuries and demotions have made Nicolino only an occasional part of Miami's rotation this year, and this outing certainly won't help his case for clinging to a spot. With marginal stuff, a brutal strikeout rate (5.2 K/9), and a propensity for allowing both walks and homers, Nicolino offers little to no intrigue in the fantasy community.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Handcuffs Mets on Friday
Rotowire
Nicolino (2-1) struck out one and allowed one run on six hits over five innings to pick up the win in a 3-1 victory over the Mets on Friday.
The lefty was pulled after throwing only 74 pitches (55 strikes), but still lasted long enough to record his second straight win since being called back up to the majors. Nicolino will take a 4.11 ERA into his next outing Wednesday in Philadelphia.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Picks up first win of season Saturday
Rotowire
Nicolino (1-1) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits and four walks while striking out two over 5.1 innings to earn the victory Saturday against the Rockies.
Nicolino struggled with control, but left the contest with a two-run lead, helping him earn his first victory of the season. He was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans for this start, and although he's already had two strong outings on the season, he presents a significant amount of risk to fantasy managers. He'll make his next start Friday against the Mets.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Recalled ahead of start
Rotowire
Nicolino was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and will start Saturday against the Rockies.
It will be Nicolino's second time in the Miami rotation this season, as he posted a 4.95 ERA and 0-1 record in five starts earlier this year for the team before being sent down to Triple-A. The southpaw has fared a bit better with New Orleans, owning a 3.19 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP over 79 innings this season, but faces a tough challenge against the Rockies, who rank second in the NL with 5.24 runs per game. Nicolino will likely be sent back to the minors once Chris O'Grady (oblique) returns from the 10-day disabled list, though there's still no timetable for his return.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Optioned to New Orleans
Rotowire
Nicolino was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans following Friday's game against Milwaukee, Andrew Gruman of the Associated Press reports.
Nicolino was moved to the bullpen earlier in June after carrying a 4.95 ERA and 1.70 WHIP through his first five starts. The Marlins will be adding Tom Koehler to the roster to start Saturday against Milwaukee, and Nicolino will be the roster casualty.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Moves to bullpen
Rotowire
Nicolino will leave the rotation and head to the bullpen, The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer reports.
During his two starts since coming off the DL with a finger injury, Nicolino has given up nine runs (five earned) off 14 hits and just five strikeouts over the course of seven innings. He wasn't able to last past the fourth inning in either of those games, and the Marlins decided to make a change before his scheduled start against the Brewers on Saturday. The team could choose to call up Tom Koehler from Triple-A New Orleans for Saturday's game, but hasn't announced anything yet.
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Marlins' Justin Nicolino: Last four innings in no-decision Saturday
Rotowire
Nicolino (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out four across four innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on Saturday.
Nicolino was provided a 3-1 lead in the first inning, but gave up a pair of runs in the fourth frame to end his day after 64 pitches. For the fourth start in a row, he was pulled before reaching the fifth inning, so between the lack of usage and his 4.95 ERA, he doesn't offer much upside to fantasy owners. He'll make his next start Friday against the Brewers.
