Quick Facts
Biography
Renyel Eligio Pinto (born July 8, 1982) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Career
In 2004, Pinto was named the Cubs' minor league pitcher of the year, after going 11–8 with a Southern League-leading 2.92 ERA while pitching for the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx. He earned mid-season and post-season SL All-Star honors and was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Pinto was acquired by Florida, along with pitchers Sergio Mitre and Ricky Nolasco, in the trade that sent outfielder Juan Pierre to the Chicago Cubs in 2005. In four scoreless innings for the Marlins in 2006, Pinto struck out three and allowed two hits before being optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on May 30. He was called back up to the major leagues when the teams expanded to their 40-man rosters.
In 2007, Pinto made his mark in the Marlins bullpen being used as a very good situational lefty early in the season. He excelled against lefties and was difficult on righties with his improving changeup.
In 2008, Pinto stepped back into his situational lefty role, but he has been used many times as a multi-inning reliever and was even considered for a rotation spot during spring training. He has excelled during this season in all the roles he's been used in.
On June 23, 2010, Pinto was released by the Florida Marlins after being designated for assignment and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. On August 21, 2010, the Cardinals released him.