Jones’ Return to Pirates Rotation Strengthens Staff

There’s much to be excited about with Jared Jones returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation.

Better days are ahead for the Pirates. Entering Saturday’s game in Cleveland with the Guardians, Pittsburgh is 62-72. After Sunday's game on Lake Erie's shores, the Pirates will remain on the road after a three-game sweep at home with the Chicago Cubs.

When the Pirates left Cleveland’s Progressive Field on Sunday after losing to the Guardians 6-1, the club remained in last place in the National League Central.

Among the probable starting pitchers for the Pirates during their three-game reunion with the Cubs, this time at Wrigley Field, Jones is expected to toe the rubber on Monday.

With 26 games to go in the regular season for the Pirates after leaving Cleveland, realistically, Jones could be looking at three more starts.

Make no mistake about just how valuable Jones is to the Pirates’ immediate future. The starting pitching staff for the 2025 season seems to be a lock with Mitch Keller, Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, and possibly Luis Ortiz. This is an impressive, young, and energetic foursome that Pirates fans can be proud of.

Most importantly, Jones’ right arm is fine. It’s been a long and careful rehabilitation period. After going out on the injured list on July 3, 2024, due to a lat muscle strain, Jones returned to MLB duty nearly two months later.

Last Tuesday evening, while pitching before the home crowd at PNC Park, Jones’ mechanics seemed fine. His fastball was working as well as before Jones was injured. Having him back in the rotation is half the battle. Now, ramping up the number of innings Pirates’ skipper Derek Shelton and pitching coach Oscar Marin want to offer is the next big step in Jones’ recovery plan.

Jones, 23, is only a rookie. There’s no sense in rushing his recovery. Along with Skenes and Keller, Jones is being counted on by the Pirates as the organization takes the next step in making the club playoff contenders.

The 102 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched this season is impressive. The 5-7 win-loss record isn’t an important indicator at this time of Jones’ ability to dominate off the mound. Wins will come as the club’s offense improves.

Before rejoining the Pirates at PNC Park, Jones turned in three impressive outings for Triple-A Indianapolis (Pirates’ top affiliate) in the International League. He registered 16 strikeouts in 11 innings of work.

Making the jump to the MLB this season, Jones outright won a spot on the Pirates’ roster coming out of spring training. Splitting last season with Double-A Altoona and Indianapolis Indians, Jones was on Shelton and Marin’s radar, but not to the extent most figured he would go north with the Pirates at the conclusion of spring training.

Getting in six appearances during this past spring in Bradenton, Jones posted a 3-1 record. He was too dominating in spring training to ignore.

During post-game interviews, Shelton was highly complementary of Jones’ work at LECOM Park. And for Jones, he let his performances do all his talking. Once returning to his regular schedule in the rotation, and while remaining in good health, there is no reason not to believe that Jones will put in an all-star season in 2025.