BASEBALL: Shane Baz, Orioles intent on squaring series vs. Pirates

Shane Baz will face the team that drafted him when he makes his second start for the Baltimore Orioles against the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon.

Baz (0-0, 6.75 ERA) will try to help the Orioles get back on track after the team lost three of its last four games. He will oppose fellow right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 4.15), who will try to lead the Pirates to a fourth consecutive win.

Signed to a five-year, $68 million contract extension, Baz, 26, is one of Baltimore's biggest financial investments this season. His first effort as an Oriole delivered mixed results, as he lasted 5 1/3 innings and allowed four runs -- all in the second inning -- in a no-decision against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Baltimore won 8-6.

Baz, whom the Orioles acquired via trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in December, gave up seven hits but did not issue a walk and struck out four.

Baltimore hopes it's just the beginning of consistent production from Baz, who made 31 starts for the Rays last season after injuries limited him to 23 from 2021-24. Baz missed the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Orioles believe in Baz's upside and the potential he can bring at the top of a rotation with Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.

"He wasn't using his curveball much early, and then, he got back to using his curveball," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said of Baz. "To me, it's kind of like an equalizer for him to kind of settle in, and he was really relying on his cutter early. And then, once he settled in, he got the curveball going, started getting the cutters into lefties, started mixing a couple of changeups, and then, it kind of just elevates his fastball quality."

Baz, a first-round pick (12th overall) of the Pirates in 2017, won his lone career start against Pittsburgh on April 1, 2025. He scattered seven hits and struck out 10 over six shutout innings.

The Pirates likely will make their own long-term investment following the debut of phenom shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin, 19. Pittsburgh reportedly is close to finalizing a nine-year, $140 million deal, which would make Griffin the highest-paid player in franchise history.

Griffin gave the Pirates a glimpse of his potential in their 5-4 win over the Orioles on Friday when he roped an RBI double in his first at-bat, which highlighted a four-run second inning. Griffin then showed off his speed when he came around to score, sliding home safely on a double by Jared Triolo.

Pittsburgh made the decision to call up baseball's top-rated prospect quickly, believing he could make an immediate impact at the position.

"This journey is so fun and it can be really hard at times," Griffin said after his debut. "I'm just trying to keep that little kid happy in my heart that's been chasing this dream."

Mlodzinski, who started last season in the Pirates' rotation before being moved to the bullpen, was solid in his start last Sunday against the New York Mets. He gave up two runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, but walked none and struck out eight in Pittsburgh's 4-3 victory in 10 innings.

Mlodzinski will make his first career start against the Orioles. He's made only one relief appearance vs. Baltimore, pitching two scoreless innings last September.

-Field Level Media/Reuters