PITTSBURGH — Carmen Mlodzinski has now made three starts for the Pirates since Mitch Keller suffered a season-ending injury.
It’s not a new role for Mlodzinski, who opened the year in the team’s starting rotation while Jared Jones was working his way back from elbow surgery. It was a good enough showing from Mlodzinski, who was 4-3 with a 3.76 ERA until he shifted back a more-familiar bullpen role upon Jones’ return in late May.
As he has been for most of his career, Mlodzinski was extremely effective as a reliever. But since being inserted back into the rotation, the right-hander hasn’t had nearly the same success. After allowing four runs in three innings in a loss to the Tigers on Monday night, Mlodzinski has a 14.04 ERA since the switch.
“Yeah it was a tough one,” Mlodzinski said after his outing. “Last three have been a little rough for me, part of the game for sure, and I wish I would’ve been able to step up.”
Mlodzinski’s splits as a starter and reliever are quite drastic. In 16 appearances out of the bullpen, the 27-year-old is 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA. In 50 innings, opponents are hitting just .216 against him. In 12 starts, he is 2-6 with 5.85 ERA and opponents are hitting .327 against him.
“I think early in the season I did a better job with that as compared to late,” said Mlodzinski of the splits. “I think there’s been obviously a jump in the numbers based off of the last three outings that definitely inflated some of the numbers I’ve had as a starter. I think right now, I’m not looking at it as the role is dictating the results. I think it’s taking a deep dive into this stuff and honestly just trying to feel a bit physically better down the stretch.”
The Pirates have refrained from naming Mlodzinski the fifth starter in the rotation since Keller went down. In doing that, they are keeping their options open, and a change in strategy could be under consideration.
“It’s something we’re going to continue to talk about and beat up,” said manager Don Kelly.
Mlodzinski did well following an opener twice before Jones returned from the injured list. Combined between those two appearances, he allowed two runs on six hits in 11 innings. Maybe the solution is as simple as having him follow an opener as a bulk reliever. Or maybe, the Pirates will consider going to a bullpen game with a revamped group of relievers, and Mlodzinski could certainly be part of it.
As Mlodzinski looks to get back on track, perhaps his best chance of finding the answers he’s looking for will come in a role he’s traditionally been more comfortable in throughout his career.
“There’s definitely stuff you can point to. I think when you’re really struggling there’s a handful of things to look at. It’s not necessarily one thing. It can be a mix of different things,” he explained. “I think right now, it’s finding small positives, especially when you’re struggling and trying to build off of that and ultimately taking accountability and trying to do better.”
On Sunday, for example, the Pirates bested the Red Sox 8-3. Lake Bachar started and went three innings. Hunter Barco, who has since been optioned to Indianapolis, followed with three innings of relief. Kirby Yates, Camilo Doval and Mason Montgomery covered innings 7-9.
Whatever the answer might be, the Pirates should explore all possibilities. Given where they are in the standings with the season hitting the home stretch, every game matters. Right now, they aren’t in a good position to win every fifth day.
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