Renyel

Pinto

Pinto is up in case the Marlins need a long reliever in today’s doubleheader. He might head right back to Triple-A before the second game, opening up a spot for Brian Moehler.

Pinto pitched four scoreless innings while with the Marlins, so he should be the choice the next time the club calls up a reliever.

Pinto pitched four scoreless innings during his first stint with the Marlins in May. He’ll be available in middle relief on Sunday, but he might get a start next week with Brian Moehler out.

Pinto gets sent down after picking up his first major league save last night. He gave up four runs over three innings in the blowout of the Nationals.

Pinto was given a one-year contract worth around $910,000 in US dollars. The 29-year-old left-hander had a nice showing in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason and should fare well this year in Japan.

Pinto was 11-8 with a 2.92 ERA, 107 H and 179/72 K/BB in 141 2/3 IP for Double-A West Tenn. The 22-year-old lefty is one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects, and it’s possible that he could arrive in the majors in the second half of next season.

The O’s have scouted Pinto over the past week in the Venezuela Winter League, and director of international operations David Stockstill met with him recently. The southpaw is likely to accept a minor league deal.

Pinto didn’t pitch professionally this past season, but currently has a 2.55 ERA and 72/32 K/BB ratio over 77 2/3 innings with Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League. The 29-year-old southpaw has also drawn interest from the Orioles this offseason. He hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2010 as a member of the Marlins.

Pinto emerged as one of the Cubs’ top pitching prospects last season by going 11-8 with a 2.92 ERA, 107 H and 179/72 K/BB in 141 2/3 IP for Double-A West Tenn. He’ll join Angel Guzman and Bobby Brownlie in what should be an outstanding Triple-A Iowa rotation next year.

Pinto has a 1.93 ERA in 18 2/3 IP in Venezuela. He’s given up up 11 hits, walked four and struck out 19. The impressive walk rate is very good to see from a pitcher who issued 80 base on balls in 151 innings in the minors last season.