PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While there is no update yet on the second opinion with Pirates second-year starter Jared Jones, manager Derek Shelton announced, per the Post-Gazette's Noah Hiles, on Monday that Carmen Mlodzinski will begin the season in the starting rotation.
Jones had his last Spring Training start scuttled due to right arm discomfort and Shelton said they will go with the 26-year-old right-hander to take his spot. It could mean Jones could be back and this is a temporary move. That Mlodzinski just earned the opportunity for however long or they will start Mlodzinski long enough until they gain an extra year of contract control for top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler.
Mlodzinski was a starter up until a couple of years ago, a first-round pick in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina. He started four games for the Pirates last season, more in a bullpen-game type situation. Overall 40 appearances in 2024 with a 3.38 ERA with 46 strikeouts and 19 walks in 50.2 innings with an impressive 1.18 WHIP.
The Pirates had announced before reporting to Bradenton they were going to stretch Mlodzinski out for opportunities to start and it comes right at the beginning of the season.
