Mixed results in Mlodzinski's return to Bucs' rotation

PITTSBURGH -- Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski took the mound Friday night for his first start since May 25. This change came after shuffling from the rotation to the bullpen and now back to the rotation following the season-ending injury to Mitch Keller.

Mlodzinski allowed five runs in three innings as the Pirates fell to the Mets, 6-4, at PNC Park for their fourth straight loss. Pittsburgh has lost 11 of its last 15 games and fell to four games under .500 (57-61) for the first time in 2026.

Keller’s season ended after his last start on Sunday in Cincinnati. He suffered a right arm teres major muscle injury after struggling throughout the season to a 5.29 ERA.

“Not ideal,” Mlodzinski said of his outing. “Definitely not my best baseball today, but gonna take accountability for it. I definitely needed to step up there. … I think what they were looking at from me is just probably four to five innings. Today probably a good goal was going to be to try to get through four. I don't think even getting to six was going to be realistic today, or even five probably.”

Mlodzinski has continuously worked the past two months to adjust his recovery to that of a reliever. He was throwing on two days' rest in his last two outings and had lowered his ERA to 3.15. Still, Mlodzinski was the obvious pitcher to slot back into the rotation.

Mlodzinski said he had an idea he would be starting or at least taking on a chunk of innings by Tuesday. He was given confirmation on Thursday before returning home from Milwaukee. Pirates manager Don Kelly hasn’t locked Mlodzinski into the last spot, saying the right-hander will fill innings and add length.

“[We] talked to him about just going after it and unloading the tank and not trying to ... we're certainly not looking for six [innings],” Kelly said pregame. “He's not going to get really out there as far as length goes, but just go out there and pitch like he has.”

Mlodzinski fell into trouble early, allowing a leadoff double before two singles to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. He worked a clean second inning, but as he went out for the third, a rain delay was called.

Though starters are often removed after a weather delay, Mlodzinski returned for the third after a 36-minute stoppage. He said the biggest challenge was staying physically ready during the delay. Then, New York took down Pittsburgh’s starter.

After a single and a walk, the Pirates doubled off a runner trying to advance on a flyout on appeal to give Mlodzinski two outs. Carson Benge singled to bring in a run and Jared Young followed with a single. Then came the game-changing blast. Marcus Semien crushed a 1-2 four-seamer over the heart of the plate for a three-run homer, making it 5-0 Mets. Mlodzinski retired the next batter, but his day was done after 63 pitches, 16 more than his last outing. Three hits had an exit velocity of 101 mph or more.

"The role I was in previously, I was still in length, and the management did a good job of making sure I wasn't overthrowing in a sense,” Mlodzinski said of transitioning back to a bulk role. “I still stayed on a semi-consistent schedule, which I think is going to help me take on whatever role they need from there.”

With Keller’s status in question Monday -- the day of the Trade Deadline -- the Pirates made a deal with Miami to acquire Lake Bachar. The right-hander has started four games this year and could open, if needed, while adding length. Pittsburgh didn’t go after a starter specifically in the market, as general manager Ben Cherington said the fits didn’t make sense based on value.

While the fifth starter spot is one to keep an eye on, even an improved bullpen hasn’t been able to help the Pirates right now. Yohan Ramírez threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings to keep the game within reach. Highly touted reliever Luke Weaver made his first appearance since joining the team Tuesday, working around a single and a walk in a scoreless ninth.

Pittsburgh’s offense has gone from one of the best in baseball to a team incapable of keeping up. The Pirates have scored five or more runs just eight times in 21 games since the All-Star break.

With their identity slipping, the Pirates need some stability from the fifth starter spot to stay in the race for an NL Wild Card spot.