Pirates GM’s Jared Jones injury return tease will fire up fans

The Pittsburgh Pirates already have plenty of potent arms in their rotation such as Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler. When Jared Jones makes his return, the Pirates’ pitching rotation will only get scarier.

That return could come sooner than expected if all goes to plan. General manager confirmed Jones will make his next rehab start on for Double-A Altoona. If he comes away unscathed, the right-hander will have a much clearer path back to the majors, via Jason Mackey of MLB.com.

“Per Ben Cherington, Jared Jones is expected to make his next rehab start Tuesday in Altoona,” Mackey said. “Cherington also told me, yes, it’s possible for Jones to pitch for the Pirates in May.”

Jones is working his way back from UCL surgery. The Pirates are obviously going to be cautious with his return and not rush him back onto the mound. However, Jones seems nearly ready to make his long-awaited return. Barring any setbacks, it could even come before the end of the month.

When he is back in the majors, the righty should provide a massive boon for Pittsburgh. Over his first 22 starts in the majors, Jones held a 4.14 ERA and a 132/39 K/BB ratio. The former top prospect recorded a 4.28 ERA and a 414/139 K/BB ratio over his 75 minor league appearances.

Pittsburgh will first need to see how Jones fares in his next rehab appearance. But Cherington is at least optimistic he’ll be soon ready to become a major contributor to Pirates’ pitching rotation.

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