Former Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher retires

After 314 major league appearanaces, veteran relief pitcher Nick Wittgren has decided to retire. Wittgren made the announcement in a social media post, thanking his family in addition to coaches, players, and organizations he spent time with over the course of his career.

Wittgren broke into the major leagues with the Miami Marlins during the 2016 season. It was an encouraging first year in Miami for Wittgren, finishing with a 3.14 ERA, 1.161 WHIP, and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings pitched in 48 games.

Wittgren would pitch two more seasons for the Marlins, pitching to a 3.91 ERA, 1.355 WHIP, and 8.8 K/9 in 70 appearances before being designated for assignment to make room for veteran infielder Neil Walker. Cleveland would acquire Wittgren from Miami in exchange for pitcher Jordan Milbrath about a week after being DFA'd.

The now-33-year-old spent three seasons in Cleveland from 2019-2021. Wittgren's first two years in Cleveland was the tail-end of a brief three-season-peak on the mound, compiling a 2.99 ERA, 1.057 WHIP, and 9.7 K/9 in 80 appearances during the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The success he found during those two seasons did not carry over into 2021. In a career-high 60 appearances, he posted a then-career-worst 5.05 ERA to go alongside a 1.251 WHIP, the highest during his time in Cleveland. As a result of his drop in performance, Wittgren was outrighted by Cleveland following the seasons, with the reliever electing free agency.

Wittgren would sign a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals ahead of the 2022 season. It was another year of struggles for Wittgren, as his 5.90 ERA, 1.552 WHIP, and 5.3 K/9 resulted in being designated for assignment by the Cardinals in July after just 29 appearances.

2023 would end up being Wittgren's final season with a major league appearance. Wittgren would sign with the Kansas City Royals and make 27 appearances out of the bullpen from May to August of that season. Kansas City would option Wittgren, with him declining the assignment and choosing free agency instead. Wittgren would finish out the season in the minors as part of the Seattle Mariners organization before spending time with Double-A and Triple-A affiliates of the Minnesota Twins in 2024.