Pittsburgh Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk provided injury updates to the media on Monday, and there was particularly interesting news concerning right-hander Jared Jones.

The 24-year-old has looked strong in the first two weeks of spring training, and the Pirates are optimistic he can return to their starting rotation not long after May 21, which would be the one-year anniversary of surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. Jones will begin the season on the 60-day injured list and could first be activated on May 25.

Infield prospect Jack Brannigan is out indefinitely after sustaining multiple fractures of the nasal area. He was injured on Sunday when hit by a batted ball.

Rookie right-hander Ryan Harbin will not be able to throw until after spring training ends, as he will be resting a strained teres major muscle for six weeks.

Infielder/outfielder Ronny Simon should be able to begin playing in extended spring training games by early April. He had surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder in October.