Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Fires 5.2 scoreless frames
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Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 win over Atlanta, allowing four hits and one walk over 5.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.
The 26-year-old right-hander produced his first scoreless start of the season with this 83-pitch performance, falling an out shy of securing his first quality start. The Atlanta lineup was unable to square up Mlodzinski, as he scattered three singles and a double. With this effort, Mlodzinski lowered his ERA from 6.16 to 5.20 across 36.1 total innings. He currently lines up to make his next start at the Phillies next weekend.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Knocked around in fourth inning
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Mlodzinski didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the Angels after allowing three runs on five hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.
It wasn't until the fourth inning where Mlodzinski ran into trouble, as he gave up three consecutive hits to open the frame, the last of which was a three-run jack by Logan O'Hoppe. Three of his five hits allowed went for extra bases Thursday, and Mlodzinski has now failed to exceed five innings in any of his first five starts this season. The right-hander doesn't shape up as a recommended fantasy option in his next scheduled outing versus the hard-hitting Cubs, especially since he carries a 6.95 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 18:9 K:BB across 22 innings.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Fans six in win
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Mlodzinski (1-1) allowed a run on five hits and two walks over five innings Monday, striking out six and earning a win over the Cardinals.
Mlodzinski worked four shutout frames before the Cardinals put a run on the board in the fifth inning. It was a much more effective outing after he coughed up four runs in 3.2 frames during his season debut against the Rays. Still, Mlodzinski needed 92 pitches (54 strikes) to get through five innings. He'll carry a 5.19 ERA into his next matchup, which is lined up to be in Cincinnati this weekend.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Opening season as fifth starter
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Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Monday that Mlodzinski will begin the season as the team's fifth starter, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
All 75 of Mlodzinski's appearances in the majors to this point have either been in relief or opener assignments, but he was being stretched out during spring training and was used mostly as a starting pitcher in the minors prior to 2023. The 26-year-old's workload figures to be relatively limited, at least initially, and the Pirates also have top prospects Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington looming at Triple-A Indianapolis if Mlodzinski falters.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Ramps up to three innings
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Mlodzinski allowed one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings in a Grapefruit League game March 15 against the Orioles.
Mlodzinski is being stretched out as a potential starter this spring, throwing 64 pitches in Saturday's outing. His chances of actually being a member of the rotation seemed slim given the strength and depth of the Pirates' rotation, though Johan Oviedo (lat) is already on the 60-day injured list and Jared Jones' (elbow) status is uncertain. If Jones opens the season on the injured list, the Pirates will need a fifth starter. Thomas Harrington is still in camp and seems a likely candidate, though Mlodzinski has maintained a decent 8:3 K:BB across 9.2 frames this spring and could be called upon.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Working toward starting role
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Mlodzinski said Saturday that he is building volume this spring to become a starter, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski reportedly had conversations with the Pirates at the end of last season about transitioning into a starting role -- something he views as a long-term goal. However, he added that he remains open to working in any role the Pirates need him to fill. The 26-year-old righty was given an opportunity to start Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, during which he surrendered two earned runs on four hits over two innings.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Out with shoulder strain
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Mlodzinksi was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday due to a right shoulder strain, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The right-hander presumably suffered the injury in his appearance against the Astros on Monday, during which he allowed a hit and a walk over a scoreless inning. Mlodzinski will be eligible to be reinstated in mid-August, though it's unclear if he's expected to be healthy by that point.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Opening Friday's game
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Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher in Friday's game versus the Rays, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
It's the third opener assignment this season for Mlodzinski, who didn't allow a run in his first two tries. Luis Ortiz is a good bet to follow in a bulk-relief role.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Set to join big club Wednesday
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The Pirates will call up Mlodzinksi from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski went 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA across 36 innings over 32 appearances at the big-league level in 2023. However, he's had a much rougher time at Triple-A Indianapolis this season, posting a 6.43 ERA across 14 innings.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Activated, optioned to Triple-A
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The Pirates reinstated Mlodzinski (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski suffered an elbow/forearm injury during spring training and has been on the IL since the beginning of the season. He made two rehab appearances, giving up one run across two total innings, but he will remain at Indianapolis despite being fully recovered. The 25-year-old reliever posted a 2.25 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 36 MLB innings last season, so there's a good chance he makes a return to Pittsburgh's bullpen if he continues to succeed in the minors.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Nearing mound work
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Mlodzinski has been unavailable lately due to right forearm tightness, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski's last Grapefruit League appearance came more than a week ago and he allowed five runs while recording just two outs in that outing. The reliever has made nice recent progress, though, as he's throwing out to 120 feet and is slated for a bullpen session within the next few days. It would appear Opening Day is still possible, but it will be close.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Reassigned to minor-league camp
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The Pirates reassigned Mlodzinski to minor-league camp Tuesday.
Mlodzinski struggled last season with Double-A Altoona, putting up a 4.78 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, but a 9.5 K/9 and 3.45 FIP suggest there is more under the surface with the 24-year-old righty. He's had a solid spring thus far and will likely return to Double-A to start the year, but there's a good chance he reaches Triple-A before the end of the season.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Impressing in exhibition season
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Mlodzinski has thrown 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, striking out five and walking two in Grapefruit League action.
Mlodzinski struggled on the surface to a 4.78 ERA across 105.1 innings with Double-A Altoona in 2022, but his 24.1 percent strikeout rate and 0.9 HR/9 were more impressive. He's in camp as a non-roster invitee and won't break camp with the Pirates, though he could start the campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis. Regardless of where he begins the regular season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Mlodzinski make his big-league debut at some point in 2023.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Completes sim game
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Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk confirmed Wednesday that Mlodzinski (shoulder) recently tossed a live batting practice session, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.
Mlodzinski will likely face hitters in BP sessions or simulated games at least a couple more times before the Pirates clear him to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 2.63 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 41 innings at High-A Greensboro before being shut down in mid-June with right shoulder soreness.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Nearing mound work
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Mlodzinski (shoulder) is expected to throw off the slope of the mound this week, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
Mlodzinski was removed from a game at High-A Greensboro on July 10 after he experienced stiffness in his right shoulder, and he was placed on the 7-day minor-league injured list July 12. However, the right-hander resumed throwing last week, and he'll take another step in his recovery once he resumes mound work.
