Pirates should give Jones and Chandler real rotation runway

give Jones – After Jared Jones’ five-run return to the majors and Bubba Chandler’s big-league potential, the Pirates are in a clear test: keep both in the rotation long enough to see if their arms can stabilize the team. That means letting Carmen Mlodzinski do what bullpen

When the Pirates pulled a starter and reshuffled their rotation, the timing felt immediate. The question now isn’t whether Jared Jones and Bubba Chandler have “stuff” — it’s whether the Pirates will give them enough space to turn that potential into something repeatable.

Jones got that chance in his return to the majors on Friday night. and the outing came with a harsh number attached: five runs allowed. But the damage wasn’t the full story. He also unleashed a burst of 100 mph-plus fastballs and mixed in a variety of other pitches that produced 15 swings and misses. It’s the kind of sequence that can’t be ignored in a rotation — especially when a team is still figuring out what it truly has.

Chandler’s arm is being talked about for the same reason: both he and Jones possess “golden arms.” Carmen Mlodzinski, meanwhile, is the one being measured as someone who doesn’t fit as cleanly in a starter’s spot right now.

The argument is blunt: if the Pirates want to mine what Jones and Chandler can become. the major-league rotation is where that work has to happen — at least for now. Baseball history is littered with fireballers who never learned how to actually pitch. and the piece of reality that follows is just as clear. If Chandler continues to struggle. and if Jones fails to give the team a regular chance to win. then moves will have to be made.

For the moment, though, the Pirates “owe it to themselves” to see what they have.

That does not mean the Pirates owe Mlodzinski anything as a starter. It may not feel fair that he lost his rotation spot, but bullpen roles are critical in modern-day baseball. Mlodzinski remains a huge part of the team. and the expectation laid out here is that he’ll start several games over the next four months.

What makes the situation tense is that Mlodzinski isn’t giving up quietly. In speaking with reporters the other day, he hinted that he might ask out.

“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’s next,” Mlodzinski said.

And the answer to what’s next is straightforward: unless he refuses, he’s going to pitch high-leverage innings out of the bullpen until the Pirates need him to start again.

There’s another layer to the story. and it’s about how players handle decisions that don’t match their personal preferences. Both Jones and Chandler have publicly scoffed at the idea of working as relievers. The comparison brought up here is veteran second baseman Brandon Lowe — who. despite coming off an All-Star year and being the team’s best player this season. didn’t make noise when manager Don Kelly pulled him for a minor leaguer last month.

The sequence matters. Lowe was pulled twice by Kelly for a minor leaguer. The first time happened during an unusually hot stretch for Lowe. and yet his body language and post-game comments were described as 100% professional. Lowe even said he agreed with the decision, which nobody believed. The bigger point was that he took “one (two, actually) for the team.”.

“Take the personal opinion out of it,” Lowe told reporters after the first time he was pulled.

That’s the contrast now: do you treat the role as temporary and do what it takes for the team, or do you treat it like a personal verdict?

Mlodzinski, at least in this telling, tried to push for the starting spot again — he pleaded for the chance, and the Pirates granted his wish. In that stretch, he posted a 4-3 record and a 3.76 ERA.

But the case against him isn’t built on averages alone. Within the past month, he had a three-game stretch where he allowed 19 hits and 15 runs in 13 2/3 innings. Some of his advanced numbers, and his low strikeout total, suggest that his recent excellent stretch might not last.

Still, this isn’t only about whether Mlodzinski can compete with two pitchers who have higher ceilings. The argument is also about the bullpen: he is the best option available to stabilize it, and he has performed well in that role.

Jones’ situation complicates the decision in another way. He’s coming off a major arm injury and is not suited for the bullpen at the moment. A future closer is even imaginable. given his demeanor and stuff — but the priority right now is managing his workload carefully and making sure his arm has prescribed rest between outings. The solution offered is to accomplish that rest through the rotation.

Chandler, on the other hand, is described as walking too many hitters to be viable as a bullpen piece right now. The Pirates’ options are framed plainly: either get him right, or send him to the minors. If that happens, Mlodzinski would find himself back in the rotation soon enough.

Until then, the message is that Mlodzinski has to show up and help.

Buc up and pitch in — because the Pirates’ immediate future depends on what their current arms can prove when they’re given the chance to do the job they’re being asked to do.

Pittsburgh Pirates Jared Jones Bubba Chandler Carmen Mlodzinski rotation bullpen high-leverage innings Brandon Lowe Don Kelly