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: Goes on 15-day IL
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The Pirates placed Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation.
Mlodzinski won't open the season on the Pirates' 26-man active roster, but he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 9. The right-hander has already resumed throwing off a mound and is expected to throw a live batting practice session later this week, according to MLB.com.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Facing hitters soon
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Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Mlodzinski (forearm) is slated for a live batting practice session in the coming days, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
While he will begin the season on the injured list, Mlodzinski looks to be tracking toward a short absence as long as he continues moving in the right direction. He's been sidelined by right forearm tightness since mid-March.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Bound for injured list
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Mlodzinski (forearm) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
Mlodzinki has been sidelined by right forearm tightness since mid-March. He has resumed throwing and would appear to have a shot to return when his 15 days are up or close to it. Mlodzinski is pegged for a setup role, once healthy.
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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: Notches first career save
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Mlodzinski picked up a save against the Reds on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.
In a wild contest during which Pittsburgh overcame a 9-0 deficit and put up four eighth-inning runs against All-Star closer Alexis Diaz, Mlodzinski -- not usual closer David Bednar -- was called upon to hold a two-run Pirates lead in the ninth. That was likely due to Bednar pitching each of the previous two days, but regardless it was a prime opportunity for Mlodzinski to shine. Things didn't begin well for the rookie right-hander, as he gave up two straight hits to begin the frame and saw the tying run move to third base with just one out. However, Mlodzinski bounced back with an epic 11-pitch faceoff against Elly De La Cruz that ended with a punchout before also striking out Jonathan India to end the contest. Mlodzinski thus earned the first save of his career and made another positive impression in a strong first season during which he has posted a 2.14 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 32:16 K:BB and nine holds over 33.2 innings.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Returns to action
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The Pirates reinstated Mlodzinski (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday.
Mlodzinski landed on the injured list Aug. 12 with a sore right elbow, and he'll rejoin Pittsburgh's bullpen after just one rehab appearance. The 24-year-old righty threw one inning during that assignment, allowing one unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out a batter. He's been fairly reliable out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh when healthy and could be a source of holds during the final month of the season.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Begins rehab assignment
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Mlodzinski (elbow) is beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Indianapolis, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski could be an option again for the Pirates' bullpen as early as this weekend, assuming all goes well on the farm. The 24-year-old had posted a 2.28 ERA across his first 23.2 major-league innings before landing on the injured list Aug. 12 due to right elbow soreness.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Lands on IL
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The Pirates placed Mlodzinski on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right elbow soreness, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Mlodzinski has been one of the most reliable options out of the bullpen for Pittsburgh this season with a 2.28 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 23.2 innings. His injury is being described as "minor," so there is a good chance the 24-year-old righty is able to return from the IL after a minimum stay.
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Slated to open Sunday's game
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Mlodzinski will serve as the Pirates' opening pitcher for Sunday's game in Arizona, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Rather than breaking in a new fifth starter for the final game before the All-Star break, the Pirates appear set to treat the series finale with the Diamondbacks as a bullpen day. Expect Mlodzinski to work an inning or two before turning the game over to the bullpen, with the Pirates likely to deploy a number of relievers the rest of the way. Over nine appearances with Pittsburgh spanning 10.1 innings, Mlodzinski owns a 2.61 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB.
Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Selected to MLB bullpen
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Pittsburgh selected Mlodzinski's contract from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.
Drafted by the Pirates with the No. 31 overall pick in 2020, Mlodzinski moved exclusively into a relief role this year with Indianapolis and it has allowed him to make a quicker ascent to the majors. The 24-year-old right-hander had a 3.16 ERA with 31 strikeouts through 25.2 innings this season at the Triple-A level.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Working in relief at Triple-A
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Mlodzinski, 24, has worked exclusively out of the bullpen this year for Triple-A Indianapolis.
The 6-foot-2 righty was trending toward a swing man role in the majors, and moving to relief could give him a chance for his stuff to tick up enough to expedite his ascent to the big leagues. Mlodzinski, the No. 31 overall pick in 2020, has a 4.50 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 16 innings through 12 appearances.
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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: Comes off IL
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Double-A Altoona activated Mlodzinski (shoulder) from its 7-day injured list Thursday, Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
The right shoulder injury that kept Mlodzinski on the shelf proved to be a minor concern, as he was sidelined for less than two weeks. For the season, the 23-year-old right-hander has turned in a 4.63 ERA and 1.30 WHIP across 23.1 innings at Altoona.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Placed on injured list
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Mlodzinski was placed on the 7-day injured list at Double-A Altoona with a shoulder injury Thursday, retroactive to May 11, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Mlodzinski missed part of the 2021 season due to a shoulder injury but made six starts at Triple-A Indianapolis over the first month of the 2022 campaign. He posted a 4.63 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 23 innings but will now be forced to miss time with his current shoulder issue. It's not yet clear whether the injury is related to the one that forced him to miss time in 2021, and the right-hander doesn't yet have a timetable to return.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Transferred to Triple-A
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Mlodzinski was transferred from High-A Greensboro to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.
Since the High-A season has wrapped up, Mlodzinski will get the chance to log some extra innings to close out the Triple-A campaign. The right-hander missed time with a shoulder injury earlier in the year but posted a 3.93 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 50.1 innings across 14 starts in Greensboro this year.
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Pirates' Carmen Mlodzinski: Resumes pitching for Greensboro
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Mlodzinski (shoulder) has made two starts for High-A Greensboro since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Aug. 14, covering four innings between the appearances and giving up four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.
The No. 31 overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft had been on the shelf for a month due to a sore right shoulder before being activated. Over 11 starts on the season, the 22-year-old right-hander has delivered a 3.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 11.6 K/9.
