Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings in a 3-2 victory over Baltimore. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander started off strong with just two baserunners allowed through three scoreless frames, but he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk in the fourth inning and was unable to make it through the fifth. Mlodzinski's 4.00 ERA and 13 strikeouts through his first two starts of the season are decent, but his 1.56 WHIP and nine combined innings are less encouraging. A road matchup with the Cubs likely awaits next weekend.

Mlodzinski did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets, allowing two runs on six hits and no walks with eight strikeouts over 4.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski threw 55 of 85 pitches for strikes and generated just eight whiffs while mostly keeping the Mets in check. The 27-year-old posted a career-high 99 innings last season working as both a starter and reliever, so he likely won't go deep into games often early in 2026. He's slated for a home matchup against the Orioles next weekend.

The Pirates announced that Mlodzinski will start the team's third game of the season next Sunday against the Mets at Citi Field, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski has emerged from spring training with the fifth starter's role after he was involved in a wide-open competition that included Jose Urquidy, Hunter Barco and non-roster invitee Mike Clevinger. Urquidy and/or Clevinger should be in good position to break camp as members of the bullpen, and the Pirates could look to deploy either pitcher in tandem with Mlodzinski, who built up to five innings and 64 pitches in his most recent Grapefruit League outing back on March 14. Mlodzinski made 12 starts for Pittsburgh in 2025 but never reached six innings in any of those outings. The right-hander pitched effectively both as a starter and out of the bullpen, finishing last season with a 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 89:27 K:BB across 99 frames.

Mlodzinski is competing for a spot in the Pirates' rotation, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski is getting another chance to work as a starter, a role he held at the start of 2025 before shifting to the bullpen. He was more effective as a reliever, and the Pirates have a strong projected rotation with several depth options -a combination that could ultimately lead Mlodzinski back to the bullpen to begin 2026. He's made one start so far this spring, striking out three while allowing only one hit across two shutout innings.

Mlodzinski (4-8) allowed one hit and struck out three across two scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski followed Bubba Chandler into the game, entering in the seventh inning with the score tied 1-1. Mlodzinski generated six swinging strikes on 30 total pitches to turn in his second consecutive scoreless relief appearance. Since the start of August, he has a 2.55 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 29:10 K:BB across 24.2 innings while pitching primarily in a bulk-relief role.

Mlodzinski (3-8) was the pitcher of record in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Brewers after giving up two earned runs on four hits and one walk over one inning of relief.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski had started in both of his previous two appearances, but he covered just three and two innings in those contests while being piggybacked by Bubba Chandler. The Pirates deployed Mlodzinski in a more traditional relief role Friday, but the right-hander failed to preserve a 2-1 lead and needed 33 pitches just to record three outs. Mlodzinski had been lined up to open Sunday's series finale, but it's unclear if his usage out of the bullpen Friday will result in the Pirates altering their plans.

Mlodzinski is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers at PNC Park, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski will receive another turn through the Pittsburgh rotation, but for the second outing in a row, he'll most likely be deployed in tandem with rookie Bubba Chandler. In his previous start this past Wednesday versus the Cardinals, Mlodzinski was lifted after allowing one earned run over three innings and 46 pitches, with Chandler then taking over and getting credited with the win after tossing four shutout frames. Even if he's able to keep the Dodgers offense at bay Tuesday, Mlodzinski is unlikely to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win, making him an unappealing streaming option.

Mlodzinski didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts across three innings.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski drew his 11th start of the season, though he threw just 46 pitches before handing the ball off to Bubba Chandler. Mlodzinski has been excellent in August, owning a 2.04 ERA and a 22:6 K:BB across 17.2 innings spanning seven appearances. Unless the Pirates look to give a starter an additional day of rest or move to a six-man rotation, Mlodzinski should move back to his typical relief role.

Mlodzinski will start Wednesday's game against the Cardinals, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wednesday will mark Mlodzinski's 11th start of the season and his second start of the month. The 26-year-old righty has posted a 5.15 ERA and 1.49 WHIP over 43.2 innings across his previous 10 starts this year, but he's had better luck while facing the Cardinals, who have managed just three runs in 9.2 innings against him. Once Mlodzinski exits Wednesday's contest, the Pirates may look to use Bubba Chandler in a piggyback role out of the bullpen to finish the game.

Mlodzinski (3-7) struck out five without allowing a baserunner across two scoreless innings to earn the win Saturday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Mlodzinski's role has fluctuated throughout the season, but he appears to be settling back into usage as a multi-inning reliever. He entered Saturday's game in the fifth inning after Mike Burrows was pulled in an apparent attempt to limit his workload. Mlodzinski was excellent in his two innings of work, generating 14 called or swinging strikes on 35 total pitches. He has allowed only three earned runs across six appearances and 14.2 innings since the start of August, while also maintaining an 18:3 K:BB.