Pirates make much-needed rotation decision, but totally bungle corresponding demotion

The Pirates have finally seen enough of Carmen Mlodzinski as a starting pitcher. It took just nine starts for them to see that the experiment is not working, but they appear not to be done with the process entirely, as he will be optioned to Triple-A to work on things. Mike Burrows will be recalled to start Thursday in his place in Game 1 against the Brewers, and though it took an odd route to get there, that is exactly what Pittsburgh needs.

Burrows is just as deserving of a promotion as Bubba Chandler is. It is great that he is getting the opportunity to start, rather than come out of the bullpen like he did for his MLB Debut in 2024.

On the season, Burrows has posted a 2.51 ERA across 32.1 innings with an 11.41 K/9. He adds a 1.05 WHIP, coming from an opposing batting average of .195 and an 8.5% walk rate.

He is currently on a great hot streak in May that the Pirates are hoping he can replicate in Pittsburgh. This month, he has made four appearances and has delivered a 1.02 ERA with 28 strikeouts and a 0.85 WHIP. Getting him in Pittsburgh was easily the right decision for the starting rotation, but they really botched the roster by sending Mlodzinski down.

Pirates finally get to see Mike Burrows, but waste opportunity to improve bullpen by demoting Carmen Mlodzinski.

Although he struggled as a starter, Mlodzinski would definitely be one the Pirates' best relievers right now. Overlooking his 5.67 ERA and 1.61 WHIP from this year should be easy, given that out of the bullpen in 2023 and 2024, Mlodzinski put together a 2.91 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 3.64 FIP. For a team that needs help in the bullpen, why waste this opportunity to better the team by using players with their strengths?

Tanner Rainey hasn't really been worth keeping, and that swap could have been really simple. Isaac Mattson earned his promotion to replace Colin Holderman, but there are still changes to be made in the bullpen.

Burrows' first career start will be very exciting to see. He will be pitching off of four days' rest after starting Sunday for Indianapolis. This hasn't been unusual for him, though, as he has made a handful of starts this year off of that amount of rest, so he should definitely be ready to join this cycle in the big leagues. Mlodzinski's removal from the rotation was an overdue move, and fortunately he is finally out of there. He should have been in the bullpen all along.