Rockers add Nicolino to rotation

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point Rockers on Saturday signed veteran MLB pitcher Justin Nicolino and he is expected to be the Rockers’ starting pitcher tonight against Southern Maryland.

Nicolino was High Point’s Opening Day starter in 2022 when he made the first of four starts for the Rockers before having his contract purchased by the Cincinnati Reds on May 25, 2022.

Nicolino made six starts for the Rockers in 2022, posting a 4-1 record with a 2.06 ERA. He won his first three starts against Lancaster (4/27), Long Island (5/3) and York (5/8) before suffering a loss at Long Island in a 1-0, fog-shortened six inning game. Nicolino won his last High Point start against Lexington on May 19, striking out seven in 5.1 innings.  At the time of his departure, Nicolino ranked second in the Atlantic League with four wins, was tied for first with one complete game, was fifth in innings pitched (35), fourth in WHIP (0.91) and sixth in opponent’s batting average (.198).

While pitching for Louisville, the Reds’ Class AAA affiliate in 2022, the left hander went 4-6 in 85 innings, making 18 starts and carding a 5.82 ERA. Nicolino started the 2023 season with Durango of the Mexican League, recording a 2-1 record in six starts with 18 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.

Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays out of high school in the second round of the 2010 draft, Nicolino made his Major League debut with the Miami Marlins on June 20, 2015. The Orlando, Fla. native has won 10 MLB games over three seasons with the Marlins from 2015-17.