Pirates Provide Update on Jared Jones Rehab Assignment; Next Step Known

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PITTSBURGH — Jared Jones looked sharp in his first rehab start as he works his way back from last year’s right elbow surgery.

Jones tossed three-perfect innings for Low-A Bradenton on Wednesday and struck out five batters. He threw 30 of his 41 pitches for strikes and averaged 99.1 mph on his fastball.

The 24-year-old is back at PNC park and will throw a side on Saturday. After that, Jones is scheduled to make his second rehab start, which will come on Tuesday night with Triple-A Indianapolis, manager Don Kelly said prior to Friday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Kelly also noted that Jones could make starts with Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona as his rehab progresses.

Jones is currently projected to return to the Pirates at the end of this month or in early June.

Jones last pitched for the Pirates as a rookie in 2024. He finished the year 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA, 106 hits allowed, 39 walks and 132 strikeouts in 121.2 innings across 22 starts.

Pittsburgh’s starting rotation, which currently consists of Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler and , enters Friday’s game ranked 10th in MLB with a 3.88 ERA.