Pirates' fireballer Jared Jones throws again post-surgery, targeting a return to his 100-mph fastball and dominating the mound.
Throwing a baseball marks a major milestone in a pitcher’s recovery from elbow surgery. Though it sounds simple, pitchers often feel anxiety when taking those first throws after their arm has been rebuilt.
When Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones threw for the first time following internal brace surgery, he did not reflect on the road back—a testament to his preference for action over introspection.
Naturally, when he returned to throwing, Jones summed up his attitude with, “let’s (bleeping) go.”
That was Jones’s attitude as a rookie in 2024, impressing the Pirates with a 100-mph fastball. Despite a 6-8 record and 4.14 ERA in 22 starts, there was reason to believe he would slot behind Paul Skenes in the 2025 rotation and give the Pirates a dynamic 1-2 punch.
However, things changed late in spring training when Jones was injured. Despite attempts at rehab, he required season-ending surgery on May 21. While the Pirates haven’t set a target date for his return, June appears likely for the 24-year-old to join a rotation that should include two other young pitchers in Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft.
Now, Jones is rehabbing at the Pirates’ spring training facility in Bradenton, Fla., under pitching rehab coordinator Vic Black.
“It’s been going good,” Jones said. “Bullpens have been going pretty well, going twice a week now. Excited to keep progressing.
“Just putting cleats on and actually feeling the rubber, going through the whole windup, take the mound, it's been fun. Still feel the same way.”
Because Jones’ game centers on velocity, it’s little wonder that he is eager for the next step in his rehab: soon being allowed to cut his fastball loose.
"Throw harder. Increase velo," Jones said. "Mix in off-speed pitches every 2-3 weeks. Just try to get back to my old self. I started slow, and I'm throwing hard now—as hard as I can."
It’s not entirely true that Jones isn’t introspective. He’s thought about how surgery has affected him, but doesn’t express it with much sentimentality.
"I miss baseball," Jones said about his biggest lesson. "Watching from the couch isn’t as fun as playing or being in the dugout."