There is no doubt that one of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ main strengths is their starting pitching. With Jared Jones set to return, this team looks to be even stronger this season.
In 2024, Jones went 6-8 with a 4.19 ERA, 1.192 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 121 innings and looked to be one of the best young pitchers in Pittsburgh. Jones later went down with elbow surgery on his right-shooting arm and missed all of 2025. But he will return in 2026, with the target being sometime between March and May.
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Jones began throwing in December, participated in bullpen sessions in January and remained on the original 10- to 12-month injury schedule after undergoing surgery in May 2025.
Jones told MLB Network Radio:
“I’m feeling good right now, I haven’t had any big hiccups yet, and I’m very grateful for that. Everything’s going great. Just getting back into everything and starting to pitch again and get off the mound, everything feels great, like it’s coming out of the hand and ready to pitch again, which is what I’m looking forward to the most here.”
When healthy, Jones, 24, will join Paul Skenes, 23, Barb Chandler, 23, Braxton Ashcraft, 26, and veteran Mitch Keller, 29, in a young and talented rotation this season. The Buccaneers should have better run support in their rotation this season as they’ve made some moves to bolster their offense, including adding Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn and Jake Mangum.
If the Pirates can get this offense going, and Jones can return healthy and back into the rotation, the Pirates are strong enough on the mound that even league-average run support could make a huge impact. The Buccaneers scored a league-worst 583 points last season. Is it possible to add around 100 points to reach league average? That remains to be seen, but with a healthy Jones back and a strengthened rotation, the Buccaneers will certainly make some noise in the division if they can get there.
