Pirates working through issues with Mlodzinski after move to pen

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It doesn’t appear things are going well between the Pirates and Carmen Mlodzinski.

After being sent to the bullpen on Thursday before Jared Jones was activated, Mlodzinski said he needed to talk to the people in his corner. Sunday before the finale against the Twins, Mlodzinski was placed on the restricted list.

“I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next,” Mlodzinski said Thursday night. “I really don’t have any comments after that.”

By definition, the restricted list ‘is a roster designation for players who are under contract but unable to play for unexcused, personal, or non-baseball related reasons’. This is temporary and allows the team to bring up another player. In this case right-handed reliever Cam Sanders was recalled.

“We decided Carmen would go into a bulk, length role and that was not because we don’t believe he can be a starter, we do,” said Pirates GM Ben Cherington on the Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan Sunday. “I think he’s proven he can do that. We believe that could happen this year. In the short term, we decided Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones would continue to take the ball as starters.”

“Not surprising, he did not agree with the decision. We want player to express that. We want players to be honest about how they feel about decisions and then it’s our job to work with them to get them into a spot where ‘ok, we disagree on this. We shared the information and now let’s go win games together’.”

Cherington said it’s a process and believes Mlodzinski will be a big part of their pitching staff this year. He called Mlodzinski ‘strong-willed’ and its part of what makes him successful.

“We are working through that,” Cherington said of him being upset at the decision. “Barring something unforeseen, I expect we will see Carmen pitch in a game real soon.”

This season the 27-year-old Mlodzinski was 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.42 WHIP. Sanders in five appearances with the Pirates went five innings, five walks, seven strikeouts, a 10.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP.