Heaney discusses 'whirlwind' experience of joining Bucs
Mlodzinski takes first step toward rotation role, NRI Stewart impresses in Grapefruit opener
Alex Stumpf
@AlexJStumpfSARASOTA, Fla. -- Andrew Heaney had a 3:30 a.m. wakeup call on Friday to start the pilgrimage from his Oklahoma home to his new Spring Training home. News of his deal with the Pirates broke Thursday night, and the veteran left-handed starter had to get to camp for his 12th Major League season.
¡°I¡¯m excited,¡± Heaney said. ¡°It¡¯s been a whirlwind just kinda getting here, trying to get settled, get everything taken care of, meet the guys, get ready [and] get out on the field. I know I¡¯m a little behind, so I¡¯m just ready to do what I do best and get on the field.¡±
Heaney inked a one-year, $5.25 million deal to add a veteran left-hander to the Pirates¡¯ rotation. He went 5-14 with a 4.28 ERA over 160 innings last season for the Rangers, and his experience and solid track record of career success are invaluable to add to a young team. There¡¯s usually just one question lingering for anyone who signs in the middle of Spring Training: How close are they to Major League games?
Fortunately for Heaney and the Pirates, the southpaw feels like he¡¯s on track as he normally would be this time of year. He faced hitters back home -- first pros and then some junior college guys after the pros went to camp -- so the late start may not be an issue.
¡°I think it¡¯s more just making sure that even though I¡¯m 10 days late to camp, making sure that I¡¯m not trying to gain those 10 days in one day. I think just easing myself into it. I know we¡¯ve got time. I¡¯ll sit down with [pitching coach] Oscar [Marin] and look at the schedule and kind of map it out and make sure we have a plan and then just go from there. I¡¯m not too worried about it. Just don¡¯t want to do too much too fast.¡±
? Carmen Mlodzinski got the start in the Pirates¡¯ first Spring Training game Saturday, and he could be making the jump to the rotation this year. He and the Pirates discussed making the move during their exit interview last year, and the plan is to build him up to three innings as a starter and compete from there.
Mlodzinski was a starter for most of his rise through the Minors and has found success mostly as a reliever in the Majors, going 5-5 with a 3.38 ERA over 40 games last season. It also seems fair to speculate if he could be a candidate for a role like Luis Ortiz had early last season, serving as a long reliever before gradually moving back into the rotation.
"I feel comfortable honestly in any role that they've thrown at me,¡± Mlodzinski said. ¡°I've done quite a few different things, like opening games the past few years, closing games -- only one. But I've been kind of in that middle relief role. So, I'm comfortable kind of doing everything at this point. I think this is more just, 'This is what I want to do with my career,' and they're giving me an opportunity to kind of show that I can do it."
Mlodzinski allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout over two innings in the Pirates¡¯ 10-5 win over the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
? DJ Stewart has played only one Major League game at first base, but he is someone the Pirates are considering as a fill-in for the injured Spencer Horwitz. The non-roster invite has a solid track record as a hitter (42 home runs and a .729 career OPS), and he got off to a hot start Saturday with a two-run double and a home run.
If first base is an opportunity for the outfielder to make the club, he¡¯s on board.
¡°It's definitely a new position, but we're going to work on it at Spring Training and hopefully give them an option there,¡± Stewart said. ¡°I signed here for a reason: To give the team a chance and do whatever I can to make this team."
? The Pirates designated right-hander Brett de Geus for assignment to open up a roster spot for Heaney. He was acquired from the Blue Jays this winter after pitching 13 games last season.
Additionally, the team has released right-hander Yerry Rodr¨ªguez -- who was on a Minor League contract -- and reassigned right-hander Sean Sullivan to Minor League camp. Sullivan is dealing with right elbow discomfort, but is playing light catch.