Sources: Jared Jones to avoid surgery on right elbow, still expected to miss extended time for Pirates

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Mar 25, 2025

Published in Baseball

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MIAMI — Pirates right-hander Jared Jones will not need surgery on his right elbow, sources informed the Post-Gazette on Tuesday. Jones, who was sidelined in late spring due to right elbow soreness, does not have any ligament damage.

Sources informed the Post-Gazette that Jones will need to go six weeks without throwing, meaning he will have to start the season on the injured list.

Jones reported his elbow soreness to the Pirates on March 16 after throwing a bullpen in Bradenton. Manager Derek Shelton informed reporters of Jones’ injury on March 19 while the club was still awaiting a second medical opinion.

"He's not going to make his next start in spring training,” Shelton said. “That's for sure. I think with that being said, we're going to have to look at what happens going into the season."

Jones pitched four times throughout spring, striking out 17 batters over 12 innings and posting a 2.25 ERA. His most recent outing took place on March 13, a day that Bailey Falter was originally scheduled to start, but Jones instead filled in due to Falter experiencing what the club described as “general body soreness.” It should be noted that while not intended to start that day, Jones was scheduled to throw a simulated game at the team’s facility.

Jones, of course, represents a key piece to the Pirates’ starting rotation. Last season, after making the opening day roster thanks to a dominant showing in spring training, Jones established himself as one of the more intriguing young arms in baseball, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA over 22 starts, striking out 132 batters over 121 2/3 innings. While Jones spent time on the injured list last season, the injury was a right lat strain and was not arm-related.

Carmen Mlodzinski replaced Jones in the Pirates starting rotation, earning the fifth and final spot in the final days of camp. Mlodzinski pitched four times this spring, making two starts and two relief appearances. He logged 9 2/3 innings total, allowing five runs, four earned (3.72 ERA) on 10 hits and three walks while striking out eight batters.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk will speak with reporters Wednesday at loanDepot park to provide further updates on Jones’ injury status. The Pirates will open their regular season Thursday against the Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m.