Jared Jones Returns: Pirates Pitcher Back on the Mound After Injury, Impact on Bullpen
Get ready, baseball fans. After a long, winding journey back from injury, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones is finally set to make his much-anticipated return to the Major League mound.
The 24-year-old will take the ball against the Minnesota Twins this Friday night. It’ll be his first big league start since the 2024 season.
This comeback isn’t just a personal win for Jones. It also signals a strategic shift for the Pirates’ pitching staff, with some big implications for the bullpen.
The Long Road Back for Jared Jones
It’s been a rough path for Jared Jones, one that’s pushed his resilience and tested his patience.
Missing an entire season, especially after a strong rookie year, is a tough pill for any athlete.
An Injury That Halted Momentum
Jones started 2024 on a promising note, making 22 starts and posting a 6-8 record with a 4.14 ERA. Everything came to a screeching halt during spring training.
He suffered an elbow injury that required internal brace surgery on May 21, 2025. That knocked him out of action for almost a year.
The rehab was grueling, both physically and mentally. He logged five rehab starts in the minors this season, working 18 1/3 innings.
During those outings, Jones flashed signs of his old self. His arm looked ready for the big stage again.
For Jones, stepping back onto that mound feels pretty surreal. He called the return “pretty damn cool,” and you can tell he’s genuinely grateful to be back in the game he loves.
Strategic Roster Moves: Mlodzinski Shifts to the Bullpen
Jones’s return shakes up the Pirates’ pitching staff. The team needs to make some strategic moves to strengthen the roster.
It’s a reminder of the chess match managers play with their lineups all season long.
Mlodzinski’s New Role: A Multi-Inning Threat
Jones is back in the starting rotation, so Carmen Mlodzinski moves to the bullpen. It’s not really a demotion—more like a calculated shift to get the most out of him and, honestly, to boost the team’s chances.
Mlodzinski’s had a solid season so far. He holds a 4-3 record and a 3.76 ERA over 11 appearances.
If you look at his career as a reliever, the numbers pop: a 2.63 ERA in 94 outings. Clearly, he feels right at home in those shorter, high-stress situations.
Pirates manager Don Kelly explained the move, saying the whole idea is to give the team the “best chance to win.” By putting Mlodzinski back in the bullpen, the Pirates pick up a strong arm that can cover multiple innings and step into big moments.
Kelly didn’t hold back on his praise for Mlodzinski’s “adaptability.” He pointed out how the guy can handle the heavy lifting that comes with bulk relief work—sometimes it’s almost like being a starter, just without the title.
It’s all about finding that balance. The Pirates want to slot in a returning starter without letting the bullpen slip, and honestly, that kind of juggling act says a lot about the way they’re thinking this season.
Here is the source article for this story: Pirates’ Jared Jones Set for First MLB Start Since 2024 on Friday Night vs. Twins
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