Pirates Send Bullpen Arm to Minors

Nicolas didn't make the opening day roster and pitched in four games with Indianapolis before his first call-up, allowing six earned runs in 4.2 innings for an 11.57 ERA.

He came up to the Pirates on April 10, who recalled him from Indianapolis and placed him in the bullpen.

Nicolas made seven appearances for the Pirates, allowing nine earned runs over 7.2 innings pitched for an ERA of 10.57, eight walks to six strikeouts and a .294 opposing batting average.

The Pirates sent Nicolas back down to Indianapolis on May 4, as they activated right-handed pitcher Dennis Santana off the bereavement list.

Nicolas made nine appearances with Indianapolis and performed much better, with just one earned run allowed over 9.2 innings pitched, a 0.98 ERA.

The Pirates recalled Nicolas on June 3, taking the spot back from Tanner Rainey, who the Pirates designated for assignment.

Nicolas made three appearances in his most recent stint with the Pirates, allowing three hits, a walk and an earned run in 4.1 innings pitched for a 2.08 ERA, two strikeouts and an opposing batting average of.188.

The Pirates now have a bullpen consisting of right-handed pitchers in Braxton Ashcraft, David Bednar, Isaac Mattson, Dennis Santana, Chase Shugart and Mlodzinski, plus left-handed pitchers in Caleb Ferguson and Ryan Borucki.

He started the 2024 season with the Indianapolis Indians at Triple-A. He made nine appearances, had a 0.84 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched, with an opposing batting average of .061.

The Pirates called him up on April 26 and he spent most of the season with the team. He had a 2-2 record in 51 games, a 3.95 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched, 55 strikeouts to 31 walks and a .249 opposing batting average.

He suffered a left oblique strain on Sept. 16 and the Pirates put him on the 15-day Injured List. Nicolas didn't pitch again last season following the injury.

Pittsburgh acquired Nicolas in a trade with the Miami Marlins on Nov. 29, 2021, as they sent catcher Jacob Stallings in exchange for pitcher Zach Thompson, outfielder Connor Scott and Nicolas.

Nicolas spent all of 2022 at Double-A Altoona, starting 22 of 24 games he appeared in, a 2-4 record, a 3.97 ERA In 90.2 innings pitched, 101 strikeouts to 47 walks and a .216 batting average.

He started the 2023 season with Altoona, with 12 starts, a 3-5 record, a 4.36 ERA, 53.2 innings pitched, 63 strikeouts to 23 walks and a .267 opposing batting average.

Nicolas then moved up to Indianapolis on June 16, but spent most his time coming out of the bullpen. He started six of his 23 appearances, a 1-2 record, a 6.20 ERA in 45.0 innings pitched, 64 strikeouts to 29 walks and an opposing batting average of .243.

The Pirates selected Nicolas' contract to the 40-man roster on Sept. 19. He struggled at the MLB level, with an 11.81 ERA in four games and 5.1 innings pitched.

Nicolas hails from Massilion, Ohio and played for Jackson High School, winning state titles in baseball and basketball as a senior in 2017. He earned Federal League Co-Player of the Year honors after posting an 8-0 record and a 0.50 ERA, while also hitting .349 with 24 RBIs.

He played college baseball for Ball State for three seasons, before entering the 2020 MLB Draft, where the Marlins selected him No. 61 overall.