Pirates Roster Moves: Carmen Mlodzinski Rejoins Team in Houston
As expected, the brief separation between the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski is over.
The Pirates, who placed Mlodzinski on the restricted list just before first pitch on Sunday afternoon, reinstated him ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Astros in Houston. He will be available out of the bullpen.
Mlodzinski informed the team on Sunday that he did not feel physically or mentally prepared to pitch after he was taken out of the starting rotation and moved back to the bullpen.
The 27-year-old opened the season as a starting pitcher and got good results, but was moved to a relief role upon the return of Jared Jones, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on Friday after undergoing right elbow surgery last May. The Pirates informed Mlodzinski of their decision on Wednesday, before sharing it publicly on Thursday.
Mlodzinski made 11 appearances/nine starts to begin the year and is 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA. In 55 innings, he’s allowed 58 hits, walked 20 and struck out 46.
Following Sunday’s win over the Twins, the Pirates optioned right-handed reliever Cam Sanders to Triple-A Indianapolis. Sanders, who was recalled in place of Mlodzinski, pitched a scoreless inning of relief on Sunday in what was his fourth stint with the team this season.
Sanders has made six appearances with the Pirates on the year and is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA. In six innings, he’s allowed six runs on six hits, walked five and struck out eight.
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