Jared

Jones

Jones underwent UCL surgery with an internal brace on May 21st of last year, so Tomczyk’s statement would imply that the Pirates are hoping that he returns to their rotation at the end of May. The wording “major league game ready” also implies that Jones will have been pitching games in the minor leagues before then, and Tomczyk also reported that Jones felt good after his live batting practice this weekend. All of that means that Jones could be pitching in minor league games as early as April with the hope of joining the Pirates’ rotation by the end of May. If you’re playing in leagues with an IL spot, that’s enough to make him worth a late-round pick.

The 24-year-old right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list to open the season, with the expectation that he could be ready to return when he’s eligible at the end of May. Jones underwent his internal brace surgery last May, so he’ll be on the tail end of the 10–12-month timeframe for recovery that he was given following the procedure.

The move, which makes room for José Urquidy on the roster, comes hours after he was seen throwing at Pirates camp today. Jones’s internal brace surgery that took place last May comes with a 10-12 month recovery window, so it’s a little disappointing to see him already ruled out for the first two months of the season. Still, the Pirates weren’t going to rack up a big innings total anyway. Jones looked like a long-term No. 2 starter behind Paul Skenes while going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and a 132/39 K/BB in 121 2/3 innings as a 22-year-old rookie in 2024. He might have something to offer in mixed leagues come June or July.

Jones completed his first bullpen session since undergoing internal brace procedure on his right elbow last May. The electrifying 24-year-old former top prospect represents the ultimate X-factor for Pittsburgh’s loaded rotation mix as he continues his rehabilitation process, which typically carries a shorter recovery timeline than a full Tommy John reconstructive surgery. He was outstanding in his Pirates debut back in 2024, finishing with a sparkling 4.00 FIP, 1.19 WHIP and 132/39 K/BB ratio across 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts. While durability and workload concerns temper his immediate fantasy ceiling, all signs point toward Jones making a meaningful impact at some point in the early portion of next season. He’s a worthwhile late-round lottery ticket in all fantasy drafts this spring.

That suggests it was internal brace surgery, rather than the full Tommy John. The latter would have put him out for at least the first two-thirds of 2026, but now he could return in the first half. Jones, one of the NL’s most promising young pitchers, went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA as a 22-year-old rookie last season.

Jones reportedly felt discomfort in his elbow late last week when he started throwing at 100 feet. The 23-year-old will undergo surgery on Wednesday, though the specifics aren’t yet known. The Pirates will have a clearer timeline for his recovery after the procedure, but at the very least we know that he’s done for the year.

There are reports circulating that Jones is likely to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery — and that is an option that’s on the table — but no decision has been made just yet. The Pirates should have an update on his status after his visit with the doctor on Tuesday. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues who have been holding out hope for a return this season can probably cut bait.

Jones has officially resumed throwing after being shut down back in mid-March with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back in Pittsburgh’s rotation until sometime in June, barring any setbacks, but it’s an extremely encouraging development. The dynamic 23-year-old righty is one of the most promising young pitchers in the game and should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Jones could potentially be cleared to start a throwing program afterwards. The dynamic 23-year-old righty has been completely shut down from throwing since the late stages of spring training recovering from a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him to return to Pittsburgh’s rotation until sometime in June.

It’s merely a procedural move to free up a spot on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster since Jones was expected to be sidelined until at least early June as he recovers from a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Nothing has changed from a return timetable standpoint as Jones isn’t expected to resume throwing until at least early May, and won’t be ready to return until sometime in June, barring any setbacks.