How Long Is Jared Jones Out? Injury Timeline, Possible Return, Updates on Pirates Pitcher

How Long Is Jared Jones Out? Injury Timeline, Possible Return, Updates on Pirates Pitcher originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pirates could receive a huge boost very soon with Jared Jones nearing a return after starting the 2026 season on the injured list.

Jones went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA during the 2024 campaign before missing all of last season with a right elbow injury. He continues to take significant steps toward his MLB return with rehab starts in the minors, building up his conditioning before rejoining a playoff hopeful.

Here are the latest updates on Jones and when Pirates fans should expect him to return to the main roster.

Jared Jones injury updates

On May 6, Jones made his second rehab start, allowing five hits and one earned run in three innings for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Jones reached a top pitch speed of 100.1 mph, and he had an average speed of 98.8 mph on his four-seam fastball, per MLB.com. He threw 54 pitches, finishing with one walk and two strikeouts.

In his first rehab start for the Single-A Bradenton Marauders on April 29, Jones threw three perfect innings and struck out five batters.

How long is Jared Jones out?

Jones is currently working his way back after undergoing UCL surgery in May 2025. Before Jones began his rehab assignment, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that he expected the 24-year-old to make "several" starts in the minors.

"At some point he'll pitch at higher levels," Cherington said (via MLB.com). "We anticipate, assuming that first outing goes well, we'll take it an outing at a time and map out the rest of the schedule."

How Jared Jones affects Pirates' pitching staff

Pittsburgh has one of the best pitching staffs in the league with a top-10 ERA, but Jones could take the Pirates to another level as they look to compete for a playoff spot in 2026. Cherington and others in the organization have stated that they view Jones as a long-term starter.

If Pittsburgh decides to limit his pitch count when he returns, Jones could start as a middle-inning reliever with high velocity. Then, once the team is comfortable increasing his workload, Jones can join Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft in the rotation.