Demilio: Pirates Decision on Carmen Mlodzinski a Curious One

At the start of spring training, it looked as though the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation was going to be a real strength of the team. But with just a few days until the Pirates open their regular season in Miami, it fair to question whether that’s still the case — at least initially.

The top of the rotation remains strong. Paul Skenes is fresh off one of the most impressive rookie seasons by a starting pitcher ever. Mitch Keller has been a steady presence the last couple of years despite some second-half struggles.

But after those two, the rotation is somewhat questionable.

The starting pitching group took a hit when it was revealed Jared Jones was dealing with an elbow issue following a bullpen session. There still isn’t a lot of information on the injury, but the right-hander will at least miss some time.

Jones was the surprise of spring training a year ago when he pitched his was to an unexpected spot on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster. It was a fine rookie season for Jones, who went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and struck out 132 batters in 121.2 innings.

Without Jones, the next two spots in the Pirates’ starting rotation will go to left-handers Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney. Falter had a decent season in 2024 — his first as a full-time starting pitcher in the big leagues. Heaney was signed by the Pirates to a one-year deal as a free agent after spending the last two years with the Texas Rangers.

The Pirates would probably be pleased if both pitchers could match their production from last season, but both Falter and Heaney profile as back-end starting pitchers rather than middle or top-of-the-rotation arms.

In Jones’ absence, the Pirates will go with Carmen Mlodzinski for the fifth and final spot in the rotation. Mlodzinski has been stretched out this spring but spent the first two seasons of his big-league career pitching out of the bullpen.

It’s certainly an experiment, and quite frankly, one that could have and should have been avoidable in what will be the sixth season of a rebuilding effort in Pittsburgh.

Mlodzinski’s track record in the majors is strong, but all of his work has come in a relief role. The 26-year-old has made 75 appearances over the last two seasons and has gone 8-8 with a 2.91 ERA.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? I was perplexed when the Pirates announced Mlodzinski would be stretched out as a starting pitcher this spring given their bullpen woes from a season ago. Mlodzinski was one of the better options for manager Derek Shelton to call upon out of the bullpen. Now, at least to start the season, that won’t be the case.

It’s interesting, too, given that three of the Pirates’ better prospects are starting pitchers with experience in Triple-A Indianapolis. Bubba Chandler is regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. Thomas Harrington and Braxton Ashcraft are no slouches either.

But the Pirates feel that all three right-handers still need more seasoning in the minor leagues before making their debuts, all of which could come at some point this year.

If that’s indeed the case, one can’t help but wonder why the Pirates didn’t add more starting pitching depth in the offseason, especially after trading Luis Ortiz to the Cleveland Guardians.

I’ll give Mlodzinski the benefit of the doubt for now. He’s started games previously in the minor leagues. He’s shown he’s capable of getting outs in the big leagues. Now he’ll need to show he can do it for extended stretches.

But having to rely on a converted reliever in the starting rotation at the very beginning of the season doesn’t look great. And it shouldn’t have to be the case in all honesty.