The Pittsburgh Pirates are (hopefully) going to be contenders this year. They’ve added multiple MLB-proven hitters this past offseason to help support their strong pitching staff. The Pirates will hopefully be buyers this year when trade season starts to ramp up. While they could make some serious additions this summer, the best mid-season addition is already lurking in the organization. Right-hander Jared Jones‘ return will be one of the best things to happen to the Pirates this year.

A big rookie year

Jones had a very promising rookie campaign in 2024. He entered the season as a consensus top 100 prospect and delivered on that potential. In 121.2 innings, Jones pitched to a 4.14 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP. He struck out opponents at a healthy 26.2% rate and handed out a free pass just 7.7% of the time. He struggled the most with home runs, with a 1.33 HR/9 and 9.8% barrel rate, but that is the only minor blemish on his rookie season.

Underlying numbers suggested he could be even better in 2025. Jones had a 3.78 xFIP and 3.72 SIERA. FanGraphs’ Stuff+ and Location+ loved his work. Stuff+ put him at 104, which was the fourth best of any rookie in 2024 who threw at least 120 frames. Location+ put him at 105. Only Jones, his rotation-mate Paul Skenes, and Atlanta Braves’ right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach were the only rookies to toss 120+ innings, and have both a Stuff+ and Location+ over 100.

 

Jared Jones tonight:

5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO, 59 pitches, 50 strikes, 15 whiffs

Just insane pic.twitter.com/WoEpfCS6Eo

— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) April 17, 2024

Injury to recovery

That set Jones up for a big 2025 season. However, his campaign came crashing down before it even got started. Jones was sidelined in Spring Training with elbow inflammation. The hard-throwing right-hander was originally shut down for six weeks, but would eventually undergo surgery. Luckily for Jones, he avoided a Tommy John procedure. Instead, he underwent internal brace surgery in May. For reference, this is what Atlanta Braves’ ace Spencer Strider underwent in April 2024. He made his return to an MLB mound in mid-April 2025.

Jones is already back throwing, too. He has been tossing off the mound in Spring Training and has faced live batters already. He will still open the year on the injured list. The Pirates placed him on the 60-day IL the day players were eligible to be added to the IL. While that will sideline him to open 2026, it still puts him on track to return sometime in late May or early June.

What does 2026 hold for Jones?

Once Jones returns, he will likely serve a similar role as Braxton Ashcraft did last year. The Pirates should not throw him directly back into the rotation after missing so much time with an elbow injury. They also shouldn’t need him to start games every four or five days, either. With Carmen Mlodzinski, Hunter Barco, Thomas Harrington, and Jose Urquidy, along with top prospects on the way, the Pirates have the opportunity to rebuild his workload. Jones should start as a multi-inning reliever with the opportunity to make some spot starts when needed.

This could be a better role for him to serve. Jones held opponents to just a .287 wOBA with a 29.1% K% and 9.1% BB% the first time he faced them. While his walk rate decreased to 7.1% the second time around, opponents hit Jones for a much worse .335 wOBA and 21.7% K%. The Pirates can limit Jones to facing opponents once and let him work on his game so he is more effective when he is given the opportunity to start again.

The Pirates aren’t going to find a better pitcher than Jones simply through the trade market if they need reinforcement. Jones has an extremely high ceiling, and getting him back as summer starts is massive for the Pirates’ pitching staff. The fact that they have the opportunity to use him as both a starter and reliever swing-man type pitcher makes him even more valuable. He may be one of the most important pitchers on their roster this season.

(Top Image Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)