How Carmen Mlodzinski Is Reshaping the Pirates' Bullpen Strategy

The Reluctant Reliever Why Mlodzinski's Demotion Was Inevitable

When the Pittsburgh Pirates made the call to bump Carmen Mlodzinski to the bullpen to make room for Jared Jones, nobody was surprised—except Mlodzinski. Reports confirm the right-hander was "not happy" about the move, and for good reason.

Arbitration-eligible pitchers earn significantly more as starters than relievers, sometimes ten times more. That's not speculation; that's the structural reality of MLB compensation.

But here's the hard truth: the Pirates made the right call. Mlodzinski entered the 2025 season as a starter but struggled badly.

In 11 starts, he posted a 4.85 ERA and a 1-6 record. That's not a blip; that's a pattern.

Compare that to his 2024 bullpen performance—a 2.25 ERA across 35 appearances—and the picture becomes crystal clear. The player Mlodzinski was as a reliever is simply not the same player he's been as a starter.

The Pirates' rotation already features Mitch Keller, Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft, and now Jones. Mlodzinski wasn't outperforming any of them.

Stat Category	Mlodzinski as Starter (2025)	Mlodzinski as Reliever (2024)
ERA	4.85	2.25
Win-Loss	1-6	4-3 (overall 2024)
Appearances	11 starts	35 appearances
Quality Starts	Limited	N/A (relief role)

The emotional reaction is understandable. No competitor wants to step aside for another player.

But the Pirates' job isn't to make everyone happy—it's to win games. Mlodzinski's ceiling as a reliever is higher than his floor as a starter.

The numbers don't lie. Some fans will call this mismanagement.

They'll say the organization should have committed to him as a starter earlier. But the reality is that Mlodzinski's elbow injury delayed his 2024 season, and by the time he returned, the bullpen was where he thrived.

Managers don't make decisions based on player satisfaction; they make them based on performance data. And the data says Mlodzinski belongs in the pen.

If you're a Pirates fan watching this unfold at PNC Park, you might want to invest in a Pittsburgh Pirates Fitted Hat to show support—but don't expect Mlodzinski to be wearing one in the starting rotation anytime soon. The move is done, and it was the right one.

The Injury Comeback That Changed Everything

Carmen Mlodzinski's 2024 season started on the injured list with an elbow injury. That detail is crucial because it explains everything that followed.

When a pitcher misses significant time, especially early in the year, the organization's plans shift. By the time Mlodzinski returned in August, the rotation was already set, and the bullpen needed arms.

He wasn't given a choice—he was given a role. Here's what the timeline looks like based on available reports:

• Spring 2024: Mlodzinski begins season on IL with elbow injury
• August 20, 2024: Activated from 15-day injured list
• August 27, 2024: Changed uniform number to 42
• 2024 Season: Emerged as reliable reliever with 2.25 ERA in 35 appearances
• 2025 Spring Training: Competed for rotation spot, won it
• 2025 Through May: Struggled as starter (4.85 ERA, 1-6 record)
• May 2026: Moved back to bullpen when Jared Jones returned

That elbow injury didn't just cost him time—it cost him his spot. And when he finally got healthy, the Pirates had already built a bullpen that needed a reliable arm.

Mlodzinski delivered, posting a 2.25 ERA that put him among the team's most dependable relievers. The problem is that success created an identity crisis.

The Pirates saw a reliever. Mlodzinski saw a starter.

The disconnect between player ambition and organizational need is nothing new in baseball. But in this case, the injury forced a fork in the road.

Mlodzinski could have returned and demanded a rotation spot, but his performance out of the bullpen was too valuable to ignore. The Pirates made a pragmatic decision: keep the player where he's most effective.

This is where analytics and human emotion collide. On paper, Mlodzinski's 2024 bullpen numbers are objectively better than his 2025 starter numbers.

But for a player who spent years developing as a starter, being told "you're better in shorter bursts" feels like a demotion. It's not—it's a specialization.

And specialization wins games. If you're a coach or parent working with young pitchers, consider using a Pocket Radar Ball Coach Radar Gun to track velocity changes between starter and reliever workloads.

The data will tell you what role fits each player best. Mlodzinski's data was clear: he's a bullpen weapon, not a rotation anchor.

What Jared Jones's Return Means for Pittsburgh's Pitching Depth

Jared Jones is back. After undergoing internal brace surgery on his right elbow in May 2025 and missing the remainder of that season, the Pirates' rookie sensation is making his 2026 debut on Friday.

Jones went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA in 22 starts during his 2024 rookie campaign—solid numbers for a first-year pitcher. The Pirates are betting on his upside.

But here's the question that should worry Pirates fans: Is Jones fully healthy? Internal brace surgery is less invasive than Tommy John, but it's still a major procedure.

The Pirates are throwing him right back into the rotation, and that's a gamble. If Jones struggles or gets injured again, the rotation depth suddenly looks thin.

Pitcher	Role	2025 ERA	Notable
Mitch Keller	Ace	N/A	Veteran anchor
Jared Jones	Returning	4.14 (2024)	Post-surgery comeback
Bubba Chandler	Rotation	N/A	Top prospect
Braxton Ashcraft	Rotation	N/A	Rising arm
Carmen Mlodzinski	Bullpen	4.85 (as starter)	Demoted for Jones

The Pirates are essentially betting that Jones's ceiling is higher than Mlodzinski's floor. That's defensible.

Jones was a top prospect for a reason. But it also means the bullpen gains a weapon it desperately needs.

Mlodzinski's 2024 numbers out of the pen were elite. If he can replicate that, the Pirates just got a shutdown reliever for free.

The real loser in this scenario might be the Pirates' bullpen depth. With Mlodzinski in the pen, other relievers will see fewer high-leverage opportunities.

That could create friction, especially if Mlodzinski's unhappiness affects his performance. The clubhouse dynamic matters, and a player who feels disrespected doesn't always pitch his best.

Pirates manager Don Kelly made the call, and he's standing by it. But if Jones struggles early, the narrative will shift quickly.

Fans will wonder why Mlodzinski wasn't given another chance. That's the nature of baseball—every decision is second-guessed until it works.

For fans tracking these developments, a Rukket Sports Pitching Net at home can help young pitchers practice their mechanics while following the big-league drama. The Pirates' pitching pipeline is deep, but depth means nothing without health and performance.

The Arbitration Economics Nobody Talks About

Let's talk money, because that's what this is really about. Carmen Mlodzinski is still in arbitration, and as one report flatly states, "starting pitchers make like 10x more than bullpen guys." That's not hyperbole; that's the reality of MLB salary structures.

A move to the bullpen isn't just a demotion—it's a pay cut. Here's how arbitration works in practice:

• Starting pitchers: Earn significantly more because they pitch more innings and have more impact on games
• Relievers: Earn less because their role is specialized and their workload is lighter
• Arbitration hearings: Players argue for higher salaries based on their role and performance
• Team control: Clubs have leverage because they can option players or change roles

Mlodzinski knows this. That's why he's frustrated.

He's not just losing a rotation spot; he's losing money. And when you're a player in arbitration, every season matters.

A strong year as a starter sets you up for a big raise. A year in the bullpen limits your earning potential.

But here's the cold calculation: The Pirates don't care about Mlodzinski's future earnings. They care about winning now.

If Mlodzinski pitches well as a reliever, he'll still get paid—just not as much as he would have as a starter. That's the business of baseball.

Salary Factor	Starter	Reliever	Difference
Average arbitration salary	$3-5 million	$1-2 million	2-3x
Innings pitched	150-200	60-80	2-3x
Free agency value	Higher	Lower	Significant

This isn't fair to Mlodzinski. But baseball has never been about fairness—it's about production.

The Pirates are paying him to get outs, not to be happy. If he wants to maximize his earnings, he needs to dominate in whatever role he's given and force the team to reconsider.

There's a lesson here for young players: Roles in baseball are fluid. A player who embraces a bullpen role can still make millions.

Look at relief aces who became stars. But a player who fights the role and underperforms hurts his own value.

Mlodzinski needs to choose: be a great reliever or a mediocre starter. For fans tracking player salaries and performance, using a Pocket Radar Ball Coach Radar Gun to measure velocity differences between roles can reveal why bullpen arms sometimes throw harder.

Mlodzinski's fastball might tick up in shorter outings, which increases his value in a different way.

How the Pirates Are Reshaping Their Bullpen Strategy for 2026

The Pirates' bullpen strategy is shifting, and Mlodzinski is at the center of it. By moving him to the pen, the team is signaling that they prioritize high-leverage relief over rotation depth.

That's a smart move if the rotation holds up. But it's a gamble if Jones or others struggle.

Here's what the new bullpen hierarchy likely looks like:

• Closer: David Bednar (if healthy)
• Setup: Carmen Mlodzinski (righty specialist)
• Middle relief: Colin Holderman, Ryan Borucki
• Long relief: Roansy Contreras or optioned starter

Mlodzinski's 2024 numbers suggest he can handle high-leverage innings. A 2.25 ERA across 35 appearances is elite.

The question is whether he can replicate that after spending months as a starter. His arm might need time to adjust back to shorter, more explosive outings.

Bullpen Role	Pitcher	Key Strength	Risk Factor
Closer	David Bednar	Elite stuff	Injury history
Setup	Carmen Mlodzinski	2024 numbers	Role transition
Middle	Colin Holderman	Consistency	Limited upside
Lefty	Ryan Borucki	Matchup specialist	Health concerns

The Pirates need Mlodzinski to buy in. If he pouts and pitches poorly, the strategy fails.

But if he embraces the role, the bullpen becomes a legitimate strength. That's a big "if" given his reported dissatisfaction.

Pirates fans should watch how Mlodzinski responds in his first few appearances. If he's throwing with confidence and attacking hitters, the move will look genius.

If he's nibbling and showing frustration, the team might have a problem. For fans who want to analyze pitch mechanics at home, a Rukket Sports Pitching Net is a solid investment for practice.

But the real analysis happens at PNC Park, where every Mlodzinski outing will be scrutinized. The Pirates are betting on his professionalism.

We'll see if that bet pays off. Your next move as a fan: Watch the first week of Mlodzinski's bullpen appearances.

If he dominates, the Pirates have a weapon. If he struggles, the organization will face questions about how they handled his transition.

Either way, this story isn't over.

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