<
        >

          New York Mets

          Nitkowski expected to sign with Mets

          Mar 11, 2012
          • Adam RubinESPN Staff Writer
            Close
              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
              Follow Adam on Twitter »  Chat archive »
            Follow on Twitter
          Adam Rubin

          Sidearm left-hander C.J. Nitkowski auditioned for the Mets last week.

          Left-hander C.J. Nitkowski is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Mets, Newsday reports. He auditioned Thursday. A team official previously told ESPNNewYork.com that should Nitkowski sign, he likely would go directly to minor league camp.

          The sidearm-throwing Nitkowski, 39, is a St. John's product and former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds. He last pitched in the majors in 2005 with the Washington Nationals. He pitched in Korea and Japan from 2007 through 2010. Nitkowski did not pitch last season, but did participate in winter ball.

          Nitkowski last year sought out the doctor who injected stem cells into Bartolo Colon. Nitkowski had the same procedure performed on his shoulder. He wrote this story for Sports Illustrated last summer regarding his "first-hand experience with stem cell treatment" in his pitching arm.