Fortitudo Bologna needs to replace Cody Cillo with Giuseppe Norrito

Right-hander Cody Cillo is not coming back to FORTITUDO BOLOGNA for the upcoming Italian Baseball League season. The 28-year-old was pitching in Italy the past three seasons and also was a member of the Italian National Team. Following the 2009 World Baseball Classic, in which he allowed a solo homerun in one inning pitched over two games, Cillo decided to join the Independent League club Calgary Vipers. It is going to be his second stint with the Northern League affiliate, as he played for the club in 2005 after his time in the Florida Marlins organization.

Another former Minor League is going to replace Cillo in the pitching staff of FORTITUDO. Giuseppe Norrito, who pitched for Italy in the 2006 WBC and the 2007 European Championships, will return to Europe. The 26-year-old righty from Sacramento, California played for Messina (Serie A2) in 2002 (ERA 3.76) and 2003 (ERA 1.95) before going back to the United States. In 2004 he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 48th round of the amateur draft and pitched in the Minor Leagues since. In 2008 he joined the Washington Nationals organization and reached Triple-A ball. During his five-year professional career Norrito had 19-11 record with an ERA of 3.76 in 76 games (25 starts), striking out 126 batters (60 walks) in 241 2/3 innings.

Photo: © Ratti/FIBS (Cody Cillo)