It was just a few weeks ago that Jared Jones strutted off the mound at PNC Park, chest high, hair flowing, cleats scraping the dirt with fire. The 26-year-old rookie right-hander had emerged as one of the few bright spots in a Pirates rotation that’s seen its share of turbulence. Jones wasn’t just pitching well, he was making a statement. His electric fastball and bulldog demeanor drew attention around the league. But on Wednesday, the flamethrower’s voice was silenced, at least temporarily.
That’s when former Tigers pitcher and now-popular MLB analyst Ben Verlander saw the news. Jones had undergone season-ending internal brace surgery on his right elbow. For a rookie whose velocity and command had him looking like Pittsburgh’s long-awaited ace, it was a crushing blow. Verlander didn’t hold back. Under Jones’ Instagram post, the FOX Sports voice left a simple yet powerful comment: “Speedy recovery. The game needs you back on the mound!”
Jones’ post, which featured a striking image of him mid-air just before his first pitch, spoke volumes without dramatics. “I will miss the game, competing, my teammates, and everything that goes with baseball,” he wrote. “Can’t wait to jump over that line again.” No fluff. No clichés. Just a competitor sidelined by the sport he loves, promising to return stronger.
For Pirates fans, it stings. Jones was putting together a compelling rookie campaign, blending a mature pitch mix with bulldog intensity and poise uncommon for a first-year player. His injury halts that momentum and reshapes Pittsburgh’s rotation plans. But what stands out more than his absence is the reaction around baseball. Players, analysts, and fans didn’t just express sympathy, they rallied behind him.
And Verlander’s response? It wasn’t just a polite gesture from a fellow pitcher-turned-voice-of-the-game. It was a nod of respect. A former player recognizes a rising one. A subtle reminder that baseball remembers its grinders and roots for their comeback.
Jones’s road to recovery now begins in the shadows, away from the roar of the crowd and the spotlight of game days. But if his Instagram caption is any indication, he’s not interested in sympathy, just the next chance to toe the rubber again. And baseball will be waiting.
From Pirates breakout rookie to rotation anchor
In the 2024 season, as a rookie player in the MLB, Jared Jones showed potential and skill right from the start. From his debut game, where he faced off against the Miami Marlins on March 30 and struck out 10 players in under six innings, his exceptional pitching abilities were evident. His fastball reached a speed of 99.9 mph with an average speed of 97.1 mph. Jared’s strong performance carried on as he maintained an ERA of 2.79 and averaged more than seven strikeouts per game throughout his five starts. This achievement placed him among a group of pitchers who have excelled in their debut matches.
Jones didn’t just make a mark with his numbers. Also brought a sense of assurance and fierce spirit to the game whenever he stepped onto the pitcher’s mound. Praising his mindset and approach to the game, Pirates manager Derek Shelton appreciated Jones’s nature and self-assurance on the field. “The thing that I like about Jared the most is that he’s got that bulldog mentality. Everything is going to be hard coming at you. He’s not scared.” Teammate Bryan Reynolds echoed this sentiment, noting, “He just attacks every time, whether or not he’s got his A stuff or not. He doesn’t shy away.”
With Jones out for the season, the Pirates faced a major setback; he was a reliable presence in the rotation and brought both stability and anticipation to the team’s games every fifth day. However, the silver lining lies in his youth and determination. At just 23, Jones has already demonstrated flexibility and a relentless work ethic.
And in the end, with a successful recovery, the Pirates can look forward to regaining not just a talented pitcher but a cornerstone of their future rotation.
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