Pirates Option Starting Pitcher to Minors
A Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher will be heading to the minors as part of a roster move.
Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported that right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski has been optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis, while Mike Burrows will be recalled and start the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 22 at PNC Park.
Mlodzinski had expressed interest in securing a spot in the starting rotation ahead of the 2023 season, even getting the nod for the Spring Training opener. He ultimately earned the final spot in the rotation after right-hander Jared Jones was sidelined for the season with a UCL sprain in his elbow.
Before transitioning to a bullpen role, Mlodzinski had been starting since his time with Double-A Altoona in 2022. He made nine starts for the Pirates, posting a 1-4 record with a 5.67 ERA across 39.2 innings. In that span, he recorded 28 strikeouts against 12 walks, with opponents batting .311 against him.
The Pirates intend to option RHP Carmen Mlodzinski to Triple-A Indianapolis. Mike Burrows will be recalled and start Thursday.
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) May 21, 2025
Mlodzinski had generally performed better in the early innings of games but struggled as opponents saw him more than once. In his first start against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 31, he threw three scoreless innings but gave up four runs in the fourth before exiting. His best outing came on April 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he earned his only win of the season, allowing one earned run over five innings and striking out a season-high six batters. He also posted a scoreless 5.2-inning performance against the Atlanta Braves on May 11.
However, his most recent start on May 17 against the Philadelphia Phillies was a rough one, as he allowed seven hits, four earned runs, and a walk in 3.1 innings during a 5-2 loss.
After the game, Mlodzinski reflected on his transition from relief to starting and expressed confidence in his abilities, though he acknowledged the need for consistency.
“I think what I’m learning is the importance of sticking to my strengths as a pitcher,” Mlodzinski said. “I know I can have good outings and bad ones, and right now it’s about figuring out what’s separating those performances.”
Mlodzinski spent the past two seasons as a reliever for the Pirates with stronger results. In 2023, he posted a 3-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 35 games, recording 34 strikeouts and allowing an opposing batting average of .214. He followed that with a 5-5 record and a 3.38 ERA in 40 games (including four starts) in 2024.
The Pirates selected Mlodzinski with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of South Carolina.
With Burrows now in the rotation, the Pirates’ starting lineup will consist of right-handed pitchers Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller in the top two spots, followed by left-handed pitchers Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney in the third and fourth spots.
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