The Pirates’ Most Surprising Opening Day Decision Yet

The Pirates’ Most Surprising Opening Day Decision Yet

Published: March 24, 2026

Duration: 16:12

The Pirates made one of their most surprising roster decisions of camp, and Alex Stumpf breaks down what it really means. Carmen Mlodzinski gets the first crack at the fifth starter role, but the bigger story is how the Pirates are piecing this spot together with Hunter Barco and Jose Urquidy also heading north. Alex explains why this could be more of a short-term “Voltron” solution than a traditional No. 5 starter, why Mlodzinski earned another shot, and how Barco could still play a real role early in the season.

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