Baseball is a cruel game, and the Pirates know it better than most. The team is now standing at a crossroads, forced to gamble on a decision that could make or break their season. As one ex-pro bluntly puts it—there’s no room for error.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching problems might not be as bad as those of the Yankees, but they cannot be completely chill, either. With Dauri Moreta, Johan Oviedo, and Marco Gonzales still in recovery, another pirate has been sidelined because of some issues. Jared Jones. And MLB insider Eduardo Perez believes it is important for him to stay fit.
Perez says it is very important for the Pirates to keep Jared Jones fit if they want to succeed. “Jones is a huge part of their success. He could go up against any number three in baseball any number three because he has the potential of being a number one.”
Even with skilled pitchers like Paul Skenes and Andrew Heaney there, it would be unfair for them to take up all the burden. And with Jared Jones having the potential to take the number 1 spot, it is important for him not to be sidelined for a long time. His stats as a No. 3 pitcher for the Pirates proved his potential.
There’s a big decision to be made surrounding Jared Jones’ elbow.@Pirates | #LetsGoBucs
https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/C6iOd7Rli7
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) March 20, 2025
In the 2024 season, Jones had 22 starts for the Pirates with a win-loss record of 6-8. He had an ERA of 4.14 with 132 strikeouts in the 121.2 innings pitched. He had an average of 9.76 K/9 – better than many other pitchers like Sean Manaea and Luis Castillo.
If the Pirates want to compete, they can’t afford to let their best arms become spectators. Jones isn’t just another pitcher—he’s a potential ace masquerading as a No. 3. Lose him, and the Pirates aren’t walking the line anymore; they’re tumbling off it.
Pirates’ spring shows who will potentially star for the 2025 season
Spring training isn’t just about knocking off the rust—it’s where teams separate contenders from pretenders. The Pirates, a team perpetually walking the tightrope between promise and frustration, have seen a few names rise above the rest. Like it or not, the spotlight is set.
The Pirates have had a good spring as they have found players to lead the 2025 season. Some of the names that stood out were Paul Skenes, Endy Rodriguez, and Tsung-Che Cheng. Skenes has already proved himself big time in the league and stepped up in the spring too. He has also added some new pitches to his arsenal like a cutter and a two-seam fastball.
Endy Rodriguez and Tsung-Che Cheng have had some memorable outings with the bat as both stepped up big time. Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with a walk during a recent game and showed that he is ready for the season. Cheng has also been some with 6 hits in his last 15 at-bats, and that too, with a home run this spring.
With these performances, the Pirates aren’t just hoping for a good season—they’re expecting one. Skenes looks every bit the ace, while Rodríguez and Cheng have given the lineup a much-needed spark. Now, all that’s left is for Pittsburgh to do the unthinkable: Turn spring promise into summer success. Easier said than done, of course. But think they have it in them?
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