Jones (lat) is hoping to be ready to throw a bullpen session by this weekend, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones threw on flat ground Tuesday for the second day in a row and on Wednesday he will throw off the front slope of the mound. If that goes well, it sounds like he could be cleared to begin throwing off a mound this weekend. Jones is working his way back from a Grade 2 right lat strain, an injury he suffered in early July.

Jones' (lat) throwing session Tuesday was from flat ground, not from the mound as previously indicated, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Destin had reported earlier that Jones was throwing a bullpen session, but he later issued a correction, noting it was a flat-ground throwing session from the Pirates' bullpen. While it means the right-hander isn't quite as far along as previously indicated, it's still good news that he is doing any kind of throwing for the second day in a row. Jones has been sidelined for most of July with a Grade 2 right lat strain.

Jones (lat) threw a bullpen session at PNC Park on Tuesday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones did some flat-ground throwing Monday and was then spotted progressing to mound work a day later, which is certainly a good sign as he works his way back from a Grade 2 lat strain. The Pirates will certainly proceed cautiously with the prized youngster, particularly since he was going to have his workload limited somewhat down the stretch, anyway, but this is a big step in his recovery.

Jones (lat) threw off flat ground from about 90 to 120 feet Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones has started up a throwing progression just under three weeks after landing on the injured list earlier this month with a Grade 2 right lat strain. While it's encouraging sign that the 22-year-old is throwing again, Jones is likely to be ramped up slowly and deliberately with his long-term health in mind. A clearer target date for Jones' return from the IL probably won't be known until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing hitters, but fantasy managers should prepare for his absence to stretch into August, at the very least.

Jones will be shut down for two weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right lat strain, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will be re-evaluated after those two weeks before the next steps of his rehab are determined. The rookie right-hander suffered the injury during his last start Wednesday against the Cardinals and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Given the ramp-up that will be required after the shutdown period, it seems safe to rule Jones out for at least the remainder of July.

The Pirates placed Jones on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a strained right lat, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury caused Jones to be removed early from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals. It does not appear to be a significant strain, but the Pirates undoubtedly will exercise caution with the talented young right-hander. Luis Ortiz would seem to be a good bet to slide into the Pirates' rotation in Jones' place.

Jones was removed from his start Wednesday versus St. Louis due to a right lat strain, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones managed to get through five innings of one-run ball while striking out five batters and walking two before coming out of Wednesday's contest. The 22-year-old said after the game that he could have kept pitching if necessary, but the team opted for a cautious approach in order to prevent his injury from worsening. Pittsburgh will keep an eye on Jones' lat as his next start approaches, but the initial level of concern seems relatively low.

Jones is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will slot back into the rotation for the first time since June 22 after the Pirates opted to skip his turn this past week. The decision to bypass Jones' turn wasn't based on any injury; instead, the Pirates are cognizant of keeping the 23-year-old right-hander's workload in check during his first season in the majors. The Pirates haven't offered up a firm innings limit for Jones in 2024 nor outlined their plans on when/if he might be skipped again, but fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to keep him active when he's confirmed to start. Though he's had more trouble keeping walks in check in his recent starts compared to earlier in the campaign, Jones will still head into his 16th start of the season Wednesday with stellar ratios (3.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 19.4 K-BB%).

Jones isn't listed among the Pirates' probable starting pitchers for this weekend's series in Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will thus go the entire week without making a start, much to the chagrin of fantasy managers in weekly leagues who chose to keep him active. Gorman notes that general manager Ben Cherington has previously said that while the Pirates don't intend to shut Jones or fellow rookie phenom Paul Skenes down at any point this season, both pitchers will have their respective workloads managed to some degree as the campaign unfolds. Jones isn't dealing with any sort of injury, so the Pirates appear to have simply chosen this week as an opportunity to build in more recovery for the right-hander, who has logged 86 innings through his first 15 big-league starts. Jones now appears to be in line to make his next start at some point during next week's series versus the Cardinals.

Jones (5-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Rays, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The day began in rough fashion for the rookie right-hander, as he hit both Brandon Lowe (toe) and Amed Rosario (face) with pitches, the latter being unable to escape a 99.6 mph fastball up and in. Rosario appeared to avoid a serious injury however, and once play resumed, Jones was able to re-focus and put together his best performance since his 10-strikeout one-hitter against the Rockies on May 4. Through his first 15 big-league starts, Jones sports a 3.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 93:25 K:BB through 86 innings. He's scheduled to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in Atlanta.