Pirates Star Cleared For Rehab Assignment After Missing Time

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been missing one of their best pitchers for a little over a month now.

Jared Jones was a second-round pick by the Pirates in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft. After a strong showing in spring training, Jones made the Pirates roster.

The rookie pitcher last pitched for the Pirates in a July 3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals. After that game, Jones was placed on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 2 right lat strain. This same strain has kept Jones out for over a month now.

Before his injury, Jones was dealing for the Pirates. The young hurler got his first win of the season against the Miami Marlins on March 30, striking out 10 batters in 5 2/3 innings pitched.

Paul Skenes isn’t the only rookie making history for the Pirates. Jones became the first Pirates pitcher to strike out double-digit hitters in their debut since Tim Wakefield in 1992. Jones has struck out 98 batters in his 16 games started and is 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA.

The Pirates have hit a rough patch, losing their last two series against the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, and could use the extra pitching help. After being out for more than a month, it seems Jones is nearing a return according to MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf.

“Source tells me Jared Jones and Joshua Palacios are going to start rehab assignments with Triple-A Indianapolis,” Stumpf reported. “The expectation right now is Jones will start Thursday.”

A return before the end of August is a realistic goal for Jones. Pittsburgh is sure to be looking forward to the return of one of their key pitchers as they fight for a playoff spot.

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