Pirates may have found an unexpected path back to the rotation for Carmen Mlodzinski

There's no such thing as too much starting pitching. Still, the Pirates are finding out the hard way that only so many of their top-flight starters can compete for a rotation spot. The rest, like Carmen Mlodzinski, will be relegated to a struggling bullpen that desperately needs reinforcements.

Mlodzinski wasn't a fan of his new role, and was placed on the restricted list this weekend. The right-hander did travel with the team to Houston, though, and after taking some time to stew is apparently ready to embrace his challenge in the bullpen. He shouldn't get all that attached to the 'pen, as there's a realistic path back to the rotation for Mlodzinski should Wilber Dotel and some of Pittsburgh's 17th-ranked relief unit finally play up to par.

The Pirates' excess of reliable starting pitching provides them with multiple innings-eaters, and Don Kelly has proven he can get creative with his bullpen usage this season. For now, the plan could be to have Mlodzinski pitch after an opener and take the middle innings. That role could also be filled by Wilber Dotel, who hasn't given up a single run in any of his last three appearances, all of which went for three innings.

The Pirates are protecting against a subpar back end of the bullpen, minus the likes of Gregory Soto. Pittsburgh needs arms to help them get to Soto in the ninth, which Dennis Santana has proven incapable of doing on a consistent basis.

The quickest path back to the rotation for Mlodzinski is twofold. If Dotel keeps thriving, then he can take over Mlodzinski's role in eating innings after an opener. Dotel could also serve as a long reliever of sorts, or be the bridge Pittsburgh needs to get to Soto.

Bubba Chandler could get the boot out of Pirates rotation, leaving an opening for Carmen Mlodzinski

Should Dotel keep thriving, the Pirates will suddenly have a backup plan in place if Bubba Chandler continue to struggle. Chandler has a 4.89 ERA and has given up seven runs in his last two starts, including three against the Astros on Tuesday night.

Chandler is far less reliable than Mlodzinski at this point in his career. Control has been Chandler's biggest problem, and his electric arsenal can only get him out of so many mistakes. Say what you will of Mlodzinski, whose ceiling isn't as high as Chandler's and more recently caused some unnecessary clubhouse drama, but he is throwing with more confidence than his counterpart. Chandler's potential will only buy him so many chances on a contending team.

Mlodzinski has proven he can do it all. In 2025, he started just 12 games but made 22 appearances out of the bullpen. He had a 3.55 ERA, which is even better than his 3.76 mark in 2026. Mlodzinski's quickest path back to the rotation relies on the success (and failure) of others. Either way, he's a valuable commodity for a Pirates team growing more confident by the day.

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