Injured Pirates RHP Jared Jones progresses with rehab, remains on original recovery timeline
Jared Jones’ ultra competitive nature is easy to spot because of his demeanor on and off the mound.
Naturally, watching his 2025 campaign end before it ever got away as a result of elbow surgery was not an easy pill to swallow for the 24-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates righty.
Jones, while averting Tommy John surgery to his throwing arm, underwent an InternalBrace procedure in May, with an estimated recovery time of 10-12 months.
Per Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk, Jones’ progression through rehab has been encouraging.
“He’s throwing again,” Tomczyk said. “Haven’t seen this young man smile in quite some time other than making the big leagues for the first time, so it’s been really cool to see Jared in a good spot mentally and doing what he loves to do, and that’s getting closer to playing baseball.
“He’s very early in the stages of this. He’s only (throwing from) like 60 feet. He’s throwing three times a week. We’re very, very encouraged with Jared.”
Tomczyk outlined the next steps for Jones, which will feature two primary components: upping his throwing distance while steadily increasing the volume of throwing.
Jones will next begin throwing from 120-135 feet and build up his strength on flat ground and the sloped pitching mound.
From there, he’ll begin pitching full mound sessions, live batting practices and simulated games.
However, all of that is still in the future. For now, the Pirates are pleased to see Jones navigating his rehab without hiccups.
“Early indications (are) he’s on track for the original projection of return to game-like activities in 10 to 12 months,” Tomczyk said.
Jones, along with catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez and infielder Enmanuel Valdez, will travel to Pittsburgh for the Pirates’ weekend series against the Athletics.
Rodriguez, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list in June because of elbow inflammation, is anticipated as being a full participant next spring training.
Less certain is Rodriguez’s ability to partake in winter ball.
“I think it’s too early to tell.” Tomczyk said. “He wouldn’t be a full complementary player at this point. We are still learning, but I think at this point it’s unlikely.”
As for Valdez, out since mid-April with a shoulder injury, he is expected to play winter ball and is throwing from 120-130 feet, along with handling defensive work.
Tomczyk expects him to begin a hitting progression program in the next two weeks.
Infielder Ronny Simon suffered a unique injury Aug. 29 in Boston while sliding into home plate, fracturing his scapula and tearing the labrum in his left shoulder.
“It’s uncommon in our sport with overhead athletes,” Tomczyk said. “Dr. (Jeffrey) Dugan shared with us that he’s seen one other case similar specifically to (Simon’s) … in a WWE wrestler. Dislocations are common. Tearing your labrum, getting your labrum repaired — that’s common. But the combination of the two is not common.”
Simon is scheduled to undergo reparative surgery to his labrum in early October.
In minor-league injury news, Triple-A pitcher Thomas Harrington (groin) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Double-A lefty Anthony Solometo (shoulder), who last pitched June 18, should begin playing light catch in the next few weeks.
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
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