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.
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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: Closing in on sim games
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Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Mlodzinski (shoulder) has resumed his throwing program and is close to facing live hitters in batting practice and simulated games, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.
The 22-year-old right-hander has been out of action at High-A Greensboro since June 10 with a right shoulder injury. He appears to be trending well in his recovery, but he'll still have a few more hurdles to clear before Greensboro activates him from the 7-day injured list. Assuming he avoids any further setbacks, Mlodzinski could slot back into the Greensboro rotation as early as the second half of August.
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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.
