Justin Nicolino

Nicolino pitching for the Lansing Lugnuts in 2011

Nicolino made his professional debut for the Vancouver Canadians of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League in 2011, posting a 5–1 win–loss record and a 1.03 ERA. The Blue Jays promoted him to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Class A Midwest League late in the season, and he pitched to a 1–1 record and a 3.12 ERA in three starts for Lansing. Nicolino returned to Lansing for the 2012 season.[4][5] He had a 10–4 win–loss record with a Midwest League-best 2.46 ERA and 119 strikeouts in ​124 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched. His teammates voted him as the Lugnuts' Most Valuable Player, and he was named to the Midwest League Postseason All-Star team.[6][7]

On November 19, 2012, the Blue Jays traded Nicolino, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Álvarez, Yunel Escobar, Jeff Mathis, Anthony DeSclafani, and Jake Marisnick to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, José Reyes, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio.[8] On January 29, 2013, Nicolino was named number 72 on MLB's Top 100 Prospects list.[9] He began the 2013 season with the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League (FSL).[10] After pitching to a 5–2 record with a 2.23 ERA, and being named a FSL All-Star, he received a promotion to the Jacksonville Suns of the Class AA Southern League in July.[11] Pitching for Jacksonville in 2014, Nicolino had a went 14–4 with a 2.85 ERA in 28 starts, and was named the Marlins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.[12][13] After the 2014 season, the Marlins added Nicolino to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[14]

Nicolino began the 2015 season with the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League.[15] The Marlins called up Nicolino for his first major league start on June 20, 2015, taking the rotation spot of Tom Koehler.[16] He pitched 7 shutout innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 walks, with 2 strikeouts. He was optioned back to Class AAA on June 30, 2015.[17] He finished the season 5-4 with a 4.01 ERA in 12 starts for the Marlins. He struck out 23 in 74 innings.

In 2016, Nicolino pitched in 5 games out of the bullpen, while starting 13 for the Marlins. He finished with a 3-6 record and a 4.99 ERA on the season.[18]

In 2017, Nicolino was placed on the disabled list on May 30 with a contusion on his left index finger.[19] Nicolino pitched in 12 games out of the bullpen, while starting 8 for the Marlins. He finished with a 2-3 record and a 5.06 ERA on the 2017 season.[18]

In his career with the Marlins, Nicolino, was 10-13 with a 4.65 ERA in 50 games, including 33 starts, and in spring training in 2018 with the Marlins he had a 5.23 ERA in five games.[20]

On March 25, 2018, Nicolino was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.[21] Two days later, he was outrighted to Triple-A.[22] He elected free agency on November 3, 2018.

On February 6, 2019, Nicolino signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins that included an invitation to spring training.[23] He opened the 2019 season with the Rochester Red Wings. Nicolino was released by the organization on May 1, 2019.

On May 4, 2019, Nicolino signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. He became a free agent following the 2019 season.[24]

On February 13, 2020, Nicolino signed with the Rakuten Monkeys of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.[25]