We know Paul Skenes will start on Opening Day, but who will follow?
The first set of Pittsburgh Pirates starters has been unveiled.
On Wednesday, the Pirates announced who will follow Paul Skenes on Opening Day.
Skenes is making his first Opening Day start Thursday in Miami against the Marlins, facing right-hander Sandy Alcantara.
Mitch Keller, who started the first game of the season the previous two years, will start game two against righty Connor Gillispie.
In a rotation with two left-handers, Bailey Falter will get the ball first on Saturday, opposing Valente Bellozo.
Free-agent lefty Andrew Heaney will follow on Sunday opposite former top-five pick and top prospect Max Meyer.
Our projected starters in Miami. pic.twitter.com/6XGCQchgXO
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 26, 2025
The Pirates will start two righties and two lefties in the four-game series, while all four Marlins starters are right-handed.
Derek Shelton confirmed to the media this week that Carmen Mlodzinski will be the Pirates’ fifth starter. Jared Jones remains sidelined with elbow discomfort, but received encouraging news Tuesday that he has no torn ligaments in his elbow and will not require surgery. Jones, per a source, received better news this week in a recent scan, but won’t return to throwing for 6-8 weeks.
The Pirates and Marlins start the season Thursday at loanDepot Park with first pitch at 4:10 p.m.