Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski was placed on the team’s restricted list Sunday, June 1, 2026, after failing to meet expectations in a critical weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. The move—unexpected and abrupt—signals a fracture between the 27-year-old ace and the front office, with both sides now locked in a high-stakes negotiation over his future role. Mlodzinski, who entered the weekend as the team’s fifth starter, was deemed “not ready” by general manager Ben Cherington, who told reporters the decision was made “in fairness to the team.” With the Pirates clinging to playoff hopes, the conflict over Mlodzinski’s status now threatens to derail their rotation plans.
The Restricted List Designation and Its Unprecedented Context
The Pirates’ decision to place Mlodzinski on the restricted list—a roster designation typically reserved for players dealing with personal or non-baseball-related issues—is unusual for a professional athlete in the middle of the season. According to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the move stems from Mlodzinski’s failure to meet the team’s expectations during a critical weekend series. Cherington revealed that the Pirates had communicated with Mlodzinski “going into the weekend” that he would need to be ready to pitch or risk being replaced.
“Going into the weekend, we understood and communicated with Carmen that at some point this weekend we were going to need him to be ready or we’d have to replace him on the team in fairness to the team, so that’s what happened today.”
—Ben Cherington, Pirates
The restricted list designation means Mlodzinski won’t earn any MLB service time or salary during his absence, and the Pirates have already recalled right-handed reliever Cam Sanders to fill his spot. Sanders, who has struggled in limited appearances this season, will now take Mlodzinski’s place in the rotation. The move is temporary, with Beazley reporting that Mlodzinski is expected to return as early as Tuesday, June 3.
Mlodzinski’s Statistical Struggles and the Rotation’s Immediate Challenges
The timing of the decision is particularly sensitive. The Pirates’ rotation has been in flux since Jared Jones returned from a 60-day injured list on Friday, May 30. Jones, along with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler, now form the team’s starting five. Mlodzinski, who has been vocal about his preference to remain a starter, was left out of the rotation, a decision that has clearly upset him.
“I can honestly say I’m just still communicating with the organization and the people in my corner, whether that’s my family or my agency, about what is next.
Mlodzinski’s frustration is understandable. Over 55 innings this season, he has posted a 3.76 ERA but has struggled with contact, allowing a 50.9% hard-hit ball rate—ranking in the second percentile among all pitchers. Despite the poor contact rates, his SIERA (Skill-Interactive ERA) is only 4.21, suggesting he has limited the damage with strong secondary pitching. However, his walk rate (8.4%) is league average, and his inability to miss bats has been a persistent issue.
The Pirates’ Strategic Shift: Bullpen Role vs. Long-Term Starter Potential
The Pirates’ decision to move Mlodzinski to a bulk-relief role is not a reflection of his ability as a starter, according to Cherington. In fact, the GM made it clear that the team still believes in Mlodzinski’s potential as a starter, even if it’s not immediate.
“We decided Carmen would go into a bulk, length role and that was not because we don’t believe he can be a starter, we do. I think he’s proven he can do that. We believe that could happen this year.”
—Ben Cherington, Pirates
The question now is whether this move is a temporary setback or a permanent shift in Mlodzinski’s role. The Pirates control him through the 2029 season, meaning he won’t reach arbitration eligibility until next offseason. This gives the team leverage, but it also means Mlodzinski has time to prove his worth in a different role.
The rotation shakeup has immediate implications. Jared Jones, who returned from injury, is now locked into a starting role, and his performance will be critical. Bubba Chandler, who has struggled with control (4.85 ERA, 52 innings), may also face scrutiny. If Mlodzinski’s move to the bullpen doesn’t yield immediate results, the Pirates could find themselves in a deeper rotation crisis.
Playoff Stakes and the Future of Mlodzinski’s Role with the Pirates
One thing is clear: the Pirates are not backing down from their decision. Cherington emphasized that the team wants Mlodzinski to express his frustration but also to work through it.
“Not surprising, he did not agree with the decision. We want players to express that. We want players to be honest about how they feel about decisions and then it’s our job to work with them to get them into a spot where ‘ok, we disagree on this. We shared the information and now let’s go win games together.’”
—Ben Cherington, Pirates
The GM’s message is clear: the Pirates are willing to engage in a dialogue, but they are also prepared to enforce their decision. Whether Mlodzinski can adapt to a new role—or whether the team will reconsider—remains to be seen.
The Pirates are currently in a tight race for the NL Central title, and every decision—especially in the rotation—has significant implications. Mlodzinski’s absence, even if temporary, creates uncertainty. The team’s starting five now consists of Jones, Skenes, Keller, Ashcraft, and Chandler. If any of these pitchers falter, the Pirates may need to rely on Mlodzinski—or another reliever—to step in.
Mlodzinski’s future with the Pirates is far from settled. He has made it clear that he is still communicating with the organization and his representatives about his next steps. Whether that means accepting a bullpen role, requesting a trade, or pushing for a return to the rotation remains unknown.
“We are working through that. Barring something unforeseen, I expect we will see Carmen pitch in a game real soon.”
—Ben Cherington, Pirates
The team’s patience with Mlodzinski may be limited. If he fails to adapt to the bullpen—or if his performance continues to decline—the Pirates could be forced to make a difficult decision. Trading Mlodzinski, who is still young (27) and controlled through 2029, would be a significant move. But if the team believes he is not the right fit in a starting role, they may not hesitate.
For now, the focus is on the immediate future. Mlodzinski is expected back as soon as Tuesday, and his next outing will be a critical test. If he can prove himself in a relief role, the Pirates may reconsider his status. If not, the tension between player and team could escalate, potentially leading to a trade or a more permanent demotion.
The stakes are high. The Pirates are fighting for a playoff spot, and every decision counts. Mlodzinski’s role in this equation could determine whether the team’s season improves—or spirals further out of control.
The next 30 days will be pivotal for both Mlodzinski and the Pirates.
- Mlodzinski’s Return and Performance – His first outing after returning from the restricted list will be crucial. If he struggles in relief, the Pirates may face a more serious rotation crisis.
- Rotation Stability – The Pirates’ starting five is unproven. If any of Jones, Skenes, Keller, Ashcraft, or Chandler falter, the team may need to rely on Mlodzinski—or another reliever—to step in.
- Trade Rumors – If Mlodzinski continues to underperform, trade speculation could heat up. Teams in need of a young, affordable arm may take notice.
- Front Office-Patient Relationship – The Pirates have given Mlodzinski time to adjust, but their patience may not be infinite. If he fails to improve, the team could force a more drastic solution.
- Playoff Implications – The Pirates are in a tight race for the NL Central. Every decision in the rotation could make or break their season.
The restricted list move was a bold—and risky—decision by the Pirates. Whether it proves to be a temporary setback or a permanent shift remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the tension between Mlodzinski and the front office is far from over.
For now, the focus remains on the game. The Pirates will need every pitcher they have to make a run, and Mlodzinski’s role—whatever it may be—will be a key factor in their success.
Sources: <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/pirates-place-carmen-mlodzinski-on-restricted-list.
