On January 31,1999,Pinto signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent. 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-AIowa Cubs.
Florida Marlins
On December 7,2005,Pinto was traded to the Florida Marlins,along with pitchers Sergio Mitre and Ricky Nolasco,in a trade that sent outfielderJuan Pierre to the Cubs. In four scoreless innings for the Marlins in 2006,Pinto struck out three and allowed two hits before being optioned to the Triple-AAlbuquerque Isotopes on May 30. He was called back up to the major leagues when the teams expanded to their 40-man rosters. Pinto made 27 total appearances for Florida during his rookie campaign,recording a 3.03 ERA with 36 strikeouts and one save across 29+2⁄3 innings pitched.[1]
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 57 total appearances for the Marlins, Pinto posted a 2-4 record and 3.68 ERA with 56 strikeouts and one save across 58+2⁄3 innings pitched.[2]
In 2008, Pinto stepped back into his situational lefty role, but he was used many times as a multi-inning reliever and was even considered for a rotation spot during spring training. He excelled during the season in all the roles he was used in; in 67 games for the Marlins, Pinto registered a 2-5 record and 4.45 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 64+2⁄3 innings of work.[3]
Pinto made 73 appearances out of the bullpen for Florida during the 2009 campaign, posting a 4-1 record and 3.23 ERA with 58 strikeouts across 61+1⁄3 innings pitched.[4] Pinto pitched in 20 games for the team in 2010, in which he recorded a 2.70 ERA with 16 strikeouts.[5] Pinto was designated for assignment by the Marlins following the promotion of Tim Wood on June 16, 2010.[6] He was released after clearing waivers on June 23.[7]
St. Louis Cardinals
On June 26, 2010, Pinto signed a minor league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[8] He made 18 appearances for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, logging a 4.78 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 26+1⁄3 innings pitched. Pinto was released by the Cardinals organization on August 27.[9]
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On January 11, 2012, Pinto signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.[10] He made two starts for Fukuoka, struggling to a 7.36 ERA with a 1-1 record and six strikeouts over 7+1⁄3 innings pitched. Pinto was released by the Hawks on April 11.
Diablos Rojos del Mexico
On April 18, 2014, Pinto signed with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League. In three starts for México, he posted a 1-0 record and 6.94 ERA with 12 strikeouts across 11+2⁄3 innings pitched. Pinto was released by the Diablos on May 3.
Piratas de Campeche
On April 20, 2022, Pinto signed with the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League, after nearly 8 years out of professional baseball.[11] He made 5 appearances out of the bullpen and recorded a 7.94 ERA with 5 strikeouts over 5+2⁄3 innings pitched. Pinto was released by the Piratas on May 9.
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