Pirates Announce 2026 Starting Rotation

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have their starting rotation ready for the beginning of the 2026 season, which should serve as one of their strongest units.

Pirates manager Don Kelly announced that the starting rotation, for the first two series, is right-handed pitchers in Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler.

The Pirates previously announced Skenes as the Opening Day starter vs. the New York Mets at Citi Field on March 26, with first pitch set for 1:15 p.m. and a national television broadcast on NBC.

Keller will take the second game for the Pirates vs. the Mets on March 28, with first pitch set for 4:10 p.m. and make it his seventh straight season in the starting rotation.

Mlodizinski will close out the series for the Pirates at Citi Field on March 29, with a 1:40 p.m. first pitch. He wins the fifth starting pitcher battle and rejoins the starting rotation, where he was to start the 2025 season as well.

The Pirates then travel to face the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park and will have rookies in Ashcraft start on March 30 and Chandler start on March 31, with both games having first pitch times of 6:40 p.m.