{"id":114083,"date":"2026-02-14T01:10:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-14T06:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=114083"},"modified":"2026-02-14T01:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T06:10:21","slug":"pirates-carmen-mlodzinski-potential-starting-pitcher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/14\/pirates-carmen-mlodzinski-potential-starting-pitcher\/","title":{"rendered":"Carmen Mlodzinski the Starter? Pirates Give Him Another Shot"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to give Carmen Mlodzinski<\/a> another shot at starting games in 2026. According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<\/a>, Mlodzinski has been working out as a starting pitcher and will have the opportunity to claim the final spot in the rotation. Currently, the fifth rotation spot is undecided. Now, the 2020 draft pick<\/a> throws his hat into the ring, and he may be able to make it work this time around.<\/p>\n

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Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) throws a pitch in the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The Reds won, 2-1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Carmen Mlodzinski, Starting Pitcher (Again)<\/h2>\n

Mlodzinski was granted a starting pitching role at the beginning of last season, but it was disastrous. Over nine starts and 39 2\/3 innings, Mlodzinski owned a 5.67 ERA, 4.35 FIP, and 1.61 WHIP. While he had a strong 6.7% walk rate and a respectable 1.13 HR\/9 ratio, he only struck out 15.6% of batters. The right-hander also had a solid 7.9% barrel rate. He was demoted to Triple-A halfway through May and came back up about a month later in June, returning as a multi-inning\/opener type pitcher.<\/p>\n

From this point on, Mlodzinski was outright dominant. He worked to the tune of a 2.12 ERA, 2.65 FIP, and 1.10 WHIP in 59 2\/3 IP, and continued to limit walks with a 6.3% BB%. On the plus side, K% skyrocketed to 25.5%. He avoided quality contact as well. Mlodzinski held opposing batters to just a 0.41 HR\/9 and a microscopic 4.4% barrel percentage. His Stuff+ went from 100 as a starter in April and May to 107 after moving back into the bullpen.<\/p>\n

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Some news here, but Carmen Mlodzinski has been working as a starting pitcher. Here\u2019s how he\u2019s aiming to make it work this year: https:\/\/t.co\/yddzTICehI<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) February 13, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n