Decision Made: Jared Jones to Start Friday, Mlodzinski Bumped to Bullpen
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have finally made a decision on Jared Jones.
Jones will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Friday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at PNC Park. Right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will slide to the bullpen, and a corresponding roster move will come on Friday.
Jones didn’t pitch for the Pirates last season after being placed on the injured list coming out of spring training. He underwent internal brace surgery on his right elbow in May and didn’t return to the mound until the start of his rehab assignment at the end of last month.
Jones made five starts between Low-A Bradenton, Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. and combined for a 2.89 ERA. In 18.2 innings, he allowed six runs on 13 hits with six walks and 24 strikeouts.
In his rookie season for the Pirates in 2024, Jones went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 22 starts. He totaled 121.2 innings, allowed 106 hits, walked 39 and struck out 132, which ranked sixth among MLB rookies.
For the second straight season, Mlodzinski broke camp in the starting rotation. After struggling last season, he had better results this time around. In 11 appearances, nine of which were starts (two came in bulk relief), Mlodzinski opened the season 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA. The Pirates have an 8-3 record in games he pitched in this season.
The Pirates had been deciding how to get Jones back into the rotation. With Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft all having cemented their statuses, the decision came down to Mlodzinski and Bubba Chandler. The rookie right-hander is 1-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 11 starts this year.
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I hate it when its phrased mlodinski “bumped” to the bullpen. That is a glaring weakness and he will be a tremendous upgrade…just stop and think for a second where they’d be in the standings right now if they only had average middle relief…
Should be Bubba going to the pen, carmin has been way more consistent