Red Sox Reliever Vinny Nittoli Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Out for 2026 Season

The 35-year-old right-hander will miss the upcoming season but avoided Tommy John surgery, aiming to return in winter ball.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:05am

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Vinny Nittoli underwent successful internal brace surgery on his right elbow, sidelining him for the entire 2026 season. While the 35-year-old reliever will miss the upcoming year, the procedure was less severe than a full Tommy John surgery, allowing him to potentially return to pitching in winter ball.

Why it matters

Nittoli was hoping to use his minor-league contract with the Red Sox as a path back to the major leagues, but the injury setback will delay those plans. However, the positive outlook on his recovery timeline gives him a chance to potentially contribute in 2027, when he'll be 36 years old.

The details

Nittoli originally felt elbow discomfort on the last day of February and underwent surgery on March 10th performed by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas. The internal brace procedure is less invasive than a full Tommy John surgery, which should allow Nittoli to return to pitching sooner than the typical 12-18 month recovery timeline.

  • Nittoli felt elbow discomfort on the last day of February 2026.
  • Nittoli underwent successful surgery on March 10, 2026.

The players

Vinny Nittoli

A 35-year-old right-handed relief pitcher who signed a minor-league contract with the Boston Red Sox for the 2026 season.

Dr. Jeffrey Dugas

The surgeon who performed Nittoli's internal brace surgery on his right elbow.

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What they’re saying

“Red Sox reliever Vinny Nittoli had successful internal brace surgery on his right elbow by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas today, a league source tells 7 News. Nittoli will miss the 2026 season, but avoided Tommy John and should be able to pitch in winter ball.”

— Ari Alexander, Reporter

What’s next

Nittoli will aim to return to pitching in winter ball following his recovery, with the goal of potentially contributing to the Red Sox in the 2027 season.

The takeaway

While the injury is a setback for Nittoli's hopes of making the Red Sox roster in 2026, the less severe nature of the surgery gives him a chance to potentially revive his major league career in the coming years, even at 36 years old.