The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-handed relief pitcher Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list with a right knee sprain. Chase Shugart, another right-handed pitcher, was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to take his place.
We have recalled RHP Chase Shugart from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed RHP Colin Holderman on the 15-day injured list.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 6, 2025
Pirates Place Holderman on IL, Recall Shugart
There’s no word on when the injury occurred or how it may have affected his pitching. Holderman pitched the fifth inning of Saturday’s 10-4 loss to the New York Yankees.
Last year, Holderman had a rough five-game stretch before going on the IL with a right wrist injury. He returned in September, when he gave up just two runs in 9 1/3 innings while racking up six “holds.” After surrendering one lone run and striking out 11 in 7 2/3 innings in the spring exhibition season, it appeared he’d righted himself entering this season. However, the early season has been unkind to Holderman as his struggles resumed. So far this season, he’s given up five runs in 4 2/3 innings while being charged with two blown saves. Restless Pirates fans booed Holderman during player introductions on Opening Day.
Under general manager Ben Cherington, the Pirates have seemingly become an employment agency for former Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Shugart, however, was drafted by the Bosox in 2018 after Cherington had moved on from Boston to Toronto. The 28-year-old got a brief taste of the major leagues last year with Boston. There, he gave up four runs in 8 2/3 innings while recording a save. He’s 27-19 in 164 games (50 starts) in seven minor league seasons with a 4.66 ERA and 1.397 WHIP. Those numbers don’t scream “hot prospect.” Indeed, the impatient Pirates fan base would have preferred seeing somebody from the Pirates’ prospect list get the promotion instead. The choice of Shugart suggests Holderman’s stay on the IL might not be long.
The Last Word
Carmen Mlodzinski is listed as the Pirates’ starter for Monday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals. It may be wise to give his turn to Thomas Harrington and return Mlodzinski to the bullpen, where he’s been effective, to give the Pirates another solid right-handed arm there. Meanwhile, infielder Jared Triolo was scratched from Sunday’s lineup with back discomfort. He’s day-to-day. Then again, as Vin Scully once said, aren’t we all?
