Carmen

Mlodzinski

Mlodzinski was called upon after six strong innings from Braxton Ashcraft and needed just 39 pitches (30 strikes) to record the final nine outs. It certainly helped that he entered the contest with a four-run advantage that eventually ballooned to 10 runs by the final frame.

Imaging came back clean for Jones after he left Sunday’s game when he was hit in the elbow by a line drive in the fifth inning, and Kelly called the results for Jones “encouraging.” Whether the right-hander can make that start will likely be determined by how Jones feels in the coming days, but for now, it does appear he’s avoided a significant injury. If he can’t go Carmen Mlodzinski could get the nod.

Jones was hit on the back of his pitching elbow by a liner and forced from his start Sunday against the Rockies. Assuming there isn’t too much bruising and swelling, he might be spared another IL stint. The Pirates could have Carmen Mlodzinski start next time through if Jones does miss some time.

Mlodzinski came on with the Pirates leading 5-0 in the sixth inning. He served up a leadoff homer to Isaac Paredes, then went on to shut the Astros out on three hits the rest of the way while punching out three. The 27-year-old right-hander has said the right things since returning from his brief stay on the restricted list, but unless he finds his way back into the rotation it ultimately feels like he could be on the move before the trade deadline.

Mlodzinski will rejoin the Pirates for Tuesday’s series opener against the Astros following a one-game stint on the restricted list. The 27-year-old has expressed a willingness to pitch in relief after being removed from Pittsburgh’s rotation last week. “I want to do what’s best to help us win baseball games,” Mlodzinski told MLB.com on Monday. He also added that he never requested a trade. There doesn’t appear to be any sort of controversy here.

Wow. Mlodzinski voiced his displeasure about being bumped from the Pirates’ rotation to make room for the return of Jared Jones on Friday. Now it appears that the two sides are at an impasse. Expect the trade chatter around Mlodzinski to pick up over the coming days.

Carmen Mlodzinski will be demoted to the bullpen. Jones has a 2.89 ERA in five rehab starts throughout the minor leagues, striking out 24 in 18 2/3 innings in coming back from internal brace surgery on his elbow ligament. He draws a tasty assignment against a struggling Twins lineup, but isn’t a must-start in his first game back as he’s only gotten up to 76 pitches so far and there’s no guarantee he’ll go long enough to qualify for a win. Either way, he should be rostered in most leagues based on the potential he showed last season before the elbow injury.

The run came on a Michael Busch homer in the fifth. Mlodzinski allowed five hits, walked three and struck out two. He’s given up a total of five runs in his last four starts, even though he’s struck out only six in 21 innings over the span. Although he’s been very solid with his 3.76 ERA, there is a chance he’ll be sent to the pen to make room for Jared Jones. As is, he’s due to make his next start this weekend against the Twins.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that Jones would make “at least one” more start, but he is eligible to come off the injured list on May 25th. He threw only 52 pitches in his last outing, so the team would likely try to push him closer to 65 on Saturday, and then he could return with a pitch count around 75 pitches. However, it doesn’t seem like the Pirates feel they have to rush him back. His return could depend on how he pitches on Saturday and how other Pirates starters, like Carmen Mlodzinski, look over the weekend. Regardless, we’re only one or two weeks away from Jones returning, so now is the time to stash him in fantasy leagues.

Mlodzinski continues to be effective with his splitter heavy repertoire. That was his primary pitch here against the Cardinals’ left-handed heavy lineup and while his command of it wasn’t necessarily great, they still chased a solid chunk of them and never squared one up. Besides that, he spotted his fastball well and wasn’t afraid to work hitters inside with it. All in all, it was a fine start and pushed him down to a 3.96 ERA on the season to go along with 44 strikeouts and 17 walks across 50 innings. He’s scheduled for a two-start week coming up against the Cubs and Twins.