The battle for the Pirates fifth starter spot has been solved, and it was won by a familiar face.
Manager Don Kelly joined the SportsNet Pittsburgh broadcast on Sunday as the Pirates faced the Red Sox.
Kelly confirmed that Carmen Mlodzinski will begin the season in the Pirates rotation.
Mlodzinski beat out left-hander Hunter Barco and righty free-agent signings Jose Urquidy and Mike Clevinger.
He will start Sunday’s series finale against the New York Mets on March 28.
Barco and Urquidy have both made
the Opening Day club, but will begin the year in the bullpen. Clevinger was outrighted to the minor leagues on Sunday.
Mlodzinski pitched well in four spring training outings (three starts). He allowed four earned runs over 12.1 innings with 14 strikeouts compared to two walks.
The 27-year-old righty delivered five innings of two-run ball in his final spring start against the Orioles on March 14, closing with a 2.92 ERA.
Urquidy allowed 11 earned runs in 10 spring training innings after being considered the favorite to land the spot.
Primarily a reliever during his three-year career (2023-25), Mlodzinski enters the season in the rotation for the first time.
In 34 games (12 starts) last year, Mlodzinski earned a 3.55 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, struck out 89, and walked 27 over 89 innings.
Mlodzinski was one of the Pirates best relievers and was a little surprising to see the team attempt to make him a starter again.
In 22 relief appearances, Mlodzinski totaled a 2.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and .235 opponent batting average in 50.1 innings.
The former 31st overall pick in the 2020 draft made 12 starts. It didn’t go nearly as well, registering a 4.99 ERA, .293 opponent average, 1.52 WHIP, 85 hits, 16 walks, and 36 strikeouts spanning 48.2 total frames.
Mlodzinski was frequently removed from outings before facing the lineup a third time around. Opponents hit only .150 in the first and .239 in the second innings, but .326 and .404 in the third and fourth innings, respectively.
The Pirates are going to give Mlodzinski another chance to prove himself in the rotation after an impressive spring.
Pittsburgh begins 2026 in New York as Paul Skenes takes the mound facing the Mets on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.
