Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
This is one in a series breaking down players on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 40-man roster.
Carmen Mlodzinski proved to be a very effective relief pitcher with the Pirates during his first two seasons in the big leagues. In 75 appearances between the 2023-24 seasons, he went 8-8 with a 2.91 ERA and recorded the first and only save of his career.
His success out of the bullpen made a Pirates’ decision at the start of the season so curious. Despite not having worked as a full-time starting pitcher since 2022 with Double-A Altoona, it was revealed that Mlodzinski would be utilized as a stretched out as a starting pitcher during spring training.
Mlodzinski did in fact begin the season as a starting pitcher, and the plan didn’t work out the way the Pirates had hoped, but one that many envisioned.
In nine starts to begin the season, Mlodzinski went 1-4 with a 5.67 ERA. In 39.2 innings, he allowed 52 hits, walked 12 and struck out 28.
The Pirates optioned Mlodzinski to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 21, and once he was recalled the following month, he returned to his more familiar role as a relief pitcher.
Although he made a couple spot starts down the stretch, Mlodzinski was used almost exclusively used as a relief pitcher once again and found success. In 22 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates this past season, the 26-year-old had a 2.15 ERA and held opponents to a .625 OPS. In 50.1 innings, he yielded 44 hits, walked 11 and punched out 53.
For the sake of comparison, he had a 4.99 ERA in 12 starts and opponents hit .293 with a .788 OPS against him.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Pirates have enough starting pitching depth to allow Mlodzinski to be a relief pitcher. It’s the role he’s been the most effective in and it’s the role he should continue to be in moving forward.
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