Carmen Mlodzinski Makes Pirates’ Curious Decision Look Possible

PITTSBURGH — One of the biggest differences between a starting pitcher and a reliever is being able to get through a lineup a second and third time.

It’s why so many pitchers who are drafted as starting pitchers wind up in the bullpen in their professional careers.

It’s at least part of the reason as to why the Pittsburgh Pirates shifted Carmen Mlodzinski from the starting rotation to a full-time bullpen role for the 2023 season.

But two years later, Mlodzinski is back to pitching out of a starting rotation after a successful two-year run as a Pirates’ relief pitcher.

The decision came at the end of spring training as Mlodzinski, who the Pirates said would be stretched out as a starting pitcher, was named the club’s fifth starter.

Mlodzinski’s first-career start — real start, not one as an opener — came on March 31 against the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander pitched well early but was hit around his second time through the lineup. His final stat-line read 3.2 innings, seven hits, four runs, two walks and four strikeouts.

His second start came in the Pirates’ 8-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night at PNC Park.

The biggest reason for his success this time? He made it through the lineup a second time.

“Execution of the breaking ball,” Shelton said on the biggest difference for Mlodzinski. “I think that was what it came down to the last time through, and I think we talked about it in the pregame, the execution of the breaking ball wasn’t as good. Because of it, he gave up some hits. It wasn’t hard-contact hits, but he gave up hits. Today I thought he did a good job of mixing, especially with the changeup.”

Mlodzinski threw a career-high 5.0 innings and struck out six batters, the most he’s ever had in the big leagues. He allowed five hits — all of which were singles — walked a pair and threw 54 of his 92 pitches for strikes.

Carmen Mlodzinski tonight:

5.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
92 pitches, 54 strikes, 8 whiffs

The longest start of his career is also his best. Love it. pic.twitter.com/IQof8T4kyT

— Platinum Ke’Bryan (@PlatinumKey13) April 8, 2025

The 26-year-old credits his work in between outings as what made the difference.

“I did a lot of work with the breaking ball and just playing — I guess a good way to put it would be the slow game, just making sure I’m making hitters respect the sweeper that I throw,” he explained. “And we did a good job early in the outing of establishing that I was going to throw that and keeping them more on their heels in terms of the velocity standpoint, which I didn’t do last outing.”

The Cardinals had only one baserunner reach scoring position through the first four innings before finally scoring in the fifth inning.

Brendan Donovan’s RBI single got the Cardinals on the board and brought the tying run to the plate with two outs.

Mlodzinski kept his composure and got Alec Burleson to fly out to left field to end the threat. On what was likely the last batter he was going to face, Mlodzinski ensured he would leave in line for the win.

“This is something I’m going to look back onto and dive into and say, ‘What worked today? What didn’t work today?’ But ultimately, able to get a win for the team,” he said. “So there’s things to build off of and there’s confidence to build on, for sure.”

It helped, too, that the offense provided their starting pitcher with some early offense.

Joey Bart, Mlodzinski’s battery mate, connected on his first home run of the season to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the first. Pittsburgh struck for three more runs in the second. After that, it was smooth sailing for Mlodzinski.

“It gives you full confidence to stay loose and stay in control of the game and in your outing,” Mlodzinski said on the offense. “When they give you runs, it’s easier to pitch. I think anybody will say that. When you have the confidence that your offense has put up runs, it’s just go and attack the hitters.”

With how he fared in his second traditional start in the big leagues, Mlodzinski proved he can be effective as a starting pitcher.

That’s no easy task, especially this early into the experiment.