Jared Jones has done enough now for the Pirates to stop treating him like a short-term project.
In a season where Pittsburgh’s playoff chances are hanging around a coin flip, holding back a starter with real upside feels less like caution and more like leaving value on the table. Jones has shown he can be a difference-maker, and the Pirates need that kind of arm working deeper into games.
Since getting past an injury scare in late June, Jones has looked sharp and controlled. Over his last three starts, he has posted a 1.20 ERA across 15 innings, with just three walks against 23 strikeouts.
Even while working under a pitch limit of around 75 pitches a start, he has still managed to get through games efficiently. That’s exactly why the Pirates should be willing to stretch him a little more.
Jones already flashed what that looks like on July 9, when he threw six perfect innings before hitting his pitch limit and coming out of the game.
The bigger issue for Pittsburgh is what waits behind him. The bullpen has been one of the weakest groups in baseball this year, sitting in the bottom third in ERA, WHIP, BB/9, and HR/9.
That makes every extra inning from a starter that much more valuable. If Don Kelly can keep from turning games over early, that should be the plan.
And if the front office can find bullpen help before the trade deadline, that would only make the case stronger - though Ron Marinaccio doesn’t count.
There’s also a matchup edge here. Jones has mostly avoided division opponents so far, with the exception of a rough outing against Cincinnati.
That limited exposure could work in his favor, especially with his slider playing at such a high level. Batters who haven’t seen much of him - or haven’t seen him since 2024 - could be in for a rough time.
Pittsburgh has two series against every division rival, at home and on the road, except the Reds, who will host the Pirates for a four-game series at the end of July. That gives Jones a chance to keep attacking unfamiliar lineups as the season moves along.
If he keeps building like this, the Pirates’ rotation starts to look dangerous from top to bottom. And if October becomes a reality, Jones and Skenes would give Pittsburgh a rotation pairing worth watching in a best-of-three series.
But first, the Pirates have to get there. For now, the message is simple: Jones has earned the trust, and it’s time for Kelly and Co. to give it to him.
In Other News...
Pirates Catcher Move Before Cubs Series Could Signal Something Bigger
The Pirates have added catcher Shawn Ross to their taxi squad ahead of the series opener against the Cubs, a move that at least suggests they want another option close by as they sort through the back end of the roster. Ross has already spent time catching Pittsburgh pitchers in spring training and in the minors, and he has split this season between Double-A and Triple-A while continuing to wait for his first big league call.
Because Ross is not on the 40-man roster and has yet to make his MLB debut, getting him into a game would require a corresponding move, which is where the intrigue starts to build. The setup points to some kind of roster shuffle rather than a simple precaution, and with the Pirates carrying a few moving parts behind the plate, the next step could tell a lot about how they are managing the position heading into the Cubs series. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Suddenly Linked To A Center Field Move That Changes Things
The Pirates deadline plans have started to sound a little more aggressive, and center field is one of the spots that could push them toward action. Jim Bowden of The Athletic pointed to Torontos Daulton Varsho as a fit, which makes sense on paper for a club looking to shore up its outfield defense and get more certainty at a position that has been a clear need.
Varshos reputation is built on the glove, not the bat, and that is part of what makes the idea intriguing for Pittsburgh. He has long been viewed as one of the better defensive center fielders in the game, but his offense has lagged this season, leaving the Pirates with a classic deadline question: how much value do they place on run prevention if it means adding a player whose production at the plate has been uneven? [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Roster Shakeup Just Pushed A Veteran Arm To The Brink
The Pirates made a catcher move Friday that rippled into the pitching staff, selecting the contract of Shawn Ross and putting Rafael Flores on the seven-day concussion-related injured list. Ross is getting his first shot in the majors, a notable step for a player the club is bringing up to help behind the plate as it manages the position group.
Jos Urquidy was the arm caught in the squeeze, a reminder of how crowded Pittsburghs pitching picture has become. Even with solid work at Triple-A, the right-hander no longer had an easy path to a roster spot with the Pirates leaning on a deep mix of starters, long-relief options and upper-level depth. [Read more 🡒]