A first-round pick of the Reds in 1994, the lefthander has had a colorful career with the Reds, Tigers, Astros, Mets, Rangers, Yankees, Braves and Nationals. He was traded to Houston for Brad Ausmus, among others, and then was dealt back to Detroit the following winter for Brad Ausmus, among others.

Christopher John Nitkowski was 3-3 with three saves and a 3.77 ERA in his one season in Houston (1998). He was signed again as a free agent by the Astros in both 2001 and 2002 but did not make the final roster. For his 10-year career, he compiled an 18-32 record with a 5.37 ERA.