(Credit for Photo: Photo Courtesy of Getty Images: Caption for Photo: Jared Jones is nearing his return to the Pirates’ roster after he underwent elbow surgery last year.)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) The Pittsburgh Pirates are still awaiting the return of starting pitcher Jared Jones from the injured list. 

Jones is currently on the 60-day injured list, but is eligible to be activated at any time. His return would require the Pirates to make corresponding roster moves, including optioning a player to the minors to make space on the 26-man roster and clearing space on the 40-man roster. 

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said on The Pirates Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan that Jones is scheduled to throw a bullpen session today and that the team will evaluate his status afterward. 

If Jones is activated, manager Don Kelly would need to decide how he fits into the team’s five-man rotation, which currently includes 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler. 

Jones most recently made his fifth rehab start — and second with Triple-A Indianapolis — throwing 4 1/3 innings Saturday against Toledo. He allowed three earned runs on two hits, including a solo home run, while walking three and striking out six over 76 pitches.