Former Pirates pitcher calling out Royals before DFA should serve as warning

Bailey Falter’s time with the Kansas City Royals ended about as loudly as possible for a pitcher who, in all honesty, had already pitched his way off the roster.

After surrendering seven earned runs in fewer than three innings against the Yankees, Falter was designated for assignment on Wednesday with a season ERA pushing 14.00. On the surface, it looks like another trade win for Ben Cherington and the Pirates, who dealt Falter to the Royals at last year's trade deadline. But the comments that surfaced afterward made the situation even more relevant to Pittsburgh than it otherwise would have been.

Falter was reportedly frustrated with his undefined role in Kansas City, saying the constant movement between bullpen work and spot starts made the mental preparation difficult. He also told reporters that his latest start felt last-minute, saying it threw “a whole wrench in the plan.”

That being said, it still doesn't erase the numbers. Falter had an 11.25 ERA with Kansas City last season after being acquired from Pittsburgh, and his 2026 results were even worse. At some point, performance has to matter more than role complaints.

Still, the Pirates should be paying attention.

Pirates can apply Royals' Bailey Falter lesson to Carmen Mlodzinski ahead of bullpen move

Pittsburgh is about to activate Jared Jones from the injured list, which will push Carmen Mlodzinski out of the rotation and into what Don Kelly has described as a high-leverage bulk relief role.

That plan makes sense on paper, as Mlodzinski has struggled to navigate lineups multiple times. The Pirates also badly need someone who can bridge games when starters exit early, and Mlodzinski's stuff plays well in shorter, controlled bursts.

But Falter’s messy Royals exit should serve as a sobering reminder that “flexible role” cannot become code for “figure it out yourself.”

If the Pirates want Mlodzinski to succeed, they need to define what this job actually is. Is he entering behind openers? Is he the first call when a starter lasts four innings? Is he being used in leverage spots regardless of inning? How many days of rest should he expect? How should he prepare between appearances?

The Pirates have leaned into non-traditional pitching usage under Kelly, and there is real value in that creativity. But creativity only works when the pitcher understands the plan. Otherwise, it can become the kind of mental chaos disguised as versatility that ultimately became Falter's undoing.

Falter’s struggles were his own. The Royals DFA’d him because he kept getting hit hard, and he was no longer an asset to their pitching staff.

But for the Pirates, the lesson is still clear. Moving Mlodzinski to the bullpen can work, and it might even unlock the most dangerous version of him. But it will only work if the role is communicated clearly enough that he is being set up to succeed, not left guessing.

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