Jared Jones is set to make a significant comeback for the Pittsburgh Pirates in early 2026, and there’s a palpable excitement around his return. The Pirates have long been recognized for their formidable starting pitching, and with Jones rejoining the squad, that strength is expected to increase even more.
In the 2024 season, Jones showcased his potential by finishing with a record of 6 wins and 8 losses, complemented by a respectable ERA of 4.19, a WHIP of 1.192, and an impressive tally of 132 strikeouts over 121 innings pitched. He quickly emerged as one of the standout young talents within the Pirates’ pitching rotation. However, his progress hit a snag when he underwent surgery on his right elbow, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. Fortunately, Jones is on track to make his comeback, aiming for a return between March and May of 2026.
Recently, in December, Jones resumed throwing and participated in a bullpen session this January, staying aligned with the anticipated recovery timeline of 10 to 12 months post-surgery from May 2025.
In a conversation with MLB Network Radio, Jones expressed optimism about his recovery, stating, "I’m feeling pretty good right now, haven’t had a pretty big hiccup yet, and I’m very grateful for that. It’s been pretty smooth. Just getting back into everything and starting to throw again and getting off the mound, everything feels great, and like how it’s coming out the hand and getting ready to pitch again is what I’m looking forward to most here."
At just 24, Jones will enrich a young and dynamic starting rotation, joining fellow pitchers Paul Skenes (23), Bubb Chandler (23), Braxton Ashcraft (26), and the senior member Mitch Keller at 29 years old. This infusion of youthful talent is expected to be bolstered further by the Pirates' recent efforts to enhance their offensive lineup, including the acquisitions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Jake Mangum. These moves could provide much-needed run support to assist the rotation throughout the season.
The Pirates are hoping that with improved offensive performance alongside a healthy Jones returning to the mound, they can transform their fortunes. Last season, they struggled significantly, finishing with just 583 runs—an unfortunate last place in the league. But could adding approximately 100 runs to reach league average be achievable? Only time will tell. Nonetheless, if Jones can seamlessly reintegrate into the rotation and the team can boost their offensive output, the Pirates are poised to make a substantial impact in their division.
