Morning Rundown: Carmen Mlodzinski Begins Rehab Assignment, Brennan Malone Bullpen
A recap of the daily roster moves, including Carmen Mlodzinski beginning his rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians.
Last pitching on August 9th, Carmen Mlodzinski began his rehab assignment with the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday night. In his single inning out of the bullpen, he allowed one unearned run on two hits and a walk while striking out one.
He threw 14 pitches, nine of which for strikes.
With the Pirates this season, Mlodzinski has posted a 2.28 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 23.2 innings pitched. I had talked about his success with his fastball right around the time he went on the injured list.
Working his way back from shoulder surgery, Brennan Malone reached another milestone in his comeback, throwing a bullpen session for the first time, according to a post on Instagram.
Malone, 22, last pitched on June 15th, 2022 with the Bradenton Marauders. The righty is super talented but has thrown just 27 innings since being drafted in 2019.
Back in 2021, he was a part of a combined no-hitter for the Marauders.
Some other roster moves that happened throughout the system on Tuesday.
Brad Case was assigned to the Greensboro Grasshoppers after spending time in the FCL. He pitched an inning on Tuesday, striking out one, while walking and allowing a hit to another.
Greensboro activated Yunior Thibo from the 7-day injured list. He hasn’t pitched since August 12.
To make room for Thibo, Maikol Escotto was transferred to the Development List.
Cal Mitchell was also activated from the 7-day injured list and rejoined the Indianapolis Indians. He had rehabbed a couple of games in Bradenton before rejoining Indianapolis on Tuesday. Before that, he hadn’t played at the Triple-A level since July 4.
Minor League Recap 8/29
Indianapolis Indians - 0 vs Buffalo Bison - 2
Top Hitter - Miguel Andujar: 1-4, 2B
Top Pitcher - Travis MacGregor: 2 IP, 2 K
Altoona Curve - 7 vs Erie SeaWolves - 5
Top Hitter - Carter Bins: 2-4, R, 2 RBI, HR (2), BB
Top Pitcher - Aaron Shortridge: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 3 vs Hickory Crawdads - 11
Top Hitter - Jase Bowen: 3-5, R, RBI, HR (23), 2B
Top Pitcher - Derek Diamond: 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 10 vs DSL Phillies White - 9
Top Hitter - Ruben Vizcaya: 1-2, 3 R, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, SB
Top Pitcher - Adolfo Oviedo: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K
Hayes 1st half: 252/299/393
2nd half: 320/368/588
Excellent outings on the mound from Aaron Shortridge at AA and Derek Diamond at A+, both of whom are guys who could play a part in the Pirates future. Shortridge is already 26, but the pandemic cost him 2020 and TJ Surgery in January 2021 caused him to miss all of 2021 and most of 2022. So, pitching on a young arm, he has already doubled the number of innings pitched this year up to 127 IP and regularly goes 5+ innings per start. He will probably start 2024 at AAA and be a possible call-up when needed for the Pirates. Not a power pitcher, but seems to know how to manage the game.
Derek Diamond was the Pirates 6th Round pick out of the U of Mississippi in 2022, so 2023 is his first real exposure to professional baseball. He has already thrown 100+ innings this year between A and A+ and could start 2024 at AA Altoona.
Broken record here, but why is Jase Bowen still at A+? Already passed the 20/20 HR/SB mark and closing in on 25/25. There are decisions that will have to be made regarding the present OF's at AA, but getting Bowen 2 or 3 weeks of exposure at AA should be our first consideration.