PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said it was the coaching staff's decision to pull Jared Jones after 59 pitches (50 strikes) on Tuesday night. It wasn't his, but he fully supports it.
"It's not easy to do that in the middle of a game you have a chance to win when he was pitching as well as he was," Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "I really respect that decision to have some perspective that it is a long war we are fighting in 2024. There are there individual daily battles we are trying to win, but it is a big war and we are trying to make decisions to do both. Win the smaller daily battles and the war."
Cherington admits he can't be certain that they are right. He said Jones outing in New York was the first time in his MLB career that he pitched on four days rest. Jones has an aggressive style of pitching and he wants Jones to be there for the long haul.
"We are trying to be as thoughtful as we can based on the inputs we have-pitchers, history, research, team winning games-and make the best decisions to allow pitcher to win the most possible games," Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network.
The Bucs general manager doesn't believe the situations are the same with Jones and Paul Skenes, as it's Skenes first full year in professional baseball.
Keep Cruz-in
Entering the game on Sunday, shortstop Oneil Cruz led the majors with 36 strikeouts, hitting .214 with three home runs. Cherington said he expected the ups-and-downs by Cruz this season. That he hadn't played in basically a whole year and it was a long and tough rehab process coming back from a significant injury (broken ankle).
"I think the simplest answer is just let him play," Cherington said. "Just keep playing."
It doesn't mean they aren't continuing to work, but they will also continue to put him out there.
Defensive dud
"If I'm surprised by anything it's total team defense hasn't been as tight as he can be," Cherington said Sunday on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "We are going to be a good, solid defensive team. Hasn't been as solid or tight as we expect, that means good things to come. I would bet on that improving naturally. It's an important thing because that is an area where there is a little more control over."
Catching changes coming?
Veteran Yasmani Grandal continues his rehab at AAA and Cherington said that activation is in the near future. Grandal was sidelined for most of Spring Training with plantar fasciitis.
"Yaz has been a really important part of our team even though he hasn't played yet in the regular season, just being around our guys, being a big part of our game prep and advance process, being a mentor for the catchers," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "He's one of those baseball rats, at the park all day long pouring over video. Love baseball, really competitive. We are looking forward to getting him back into our mix from a cultural standpoint aside from what he will do on the field."
Jason Delay should be ready to return in June and while he won't likely play this year, switch-hitting catcher Endy Rodriguez will begin hitting from the left side on May 1. There is potential he could play in a Fall or Winter league.
Injury/minor league notes
Marco Gonzales will return
What he has is something they caught early. It is relatively minor as things go and he can recover after some down time, Cherington said Sunday. They anticipate Gonzales pitching again this year.
Ji Hwan Bae
They have been working on the consistency of his offensive approach and believe he will still be a good Major League player and that it can happen this year. The left-handed 2B/OF dealt with a hip injury and illness. The 24-year-old has 10 hits in his first 21 AAA at bats including a double and a home run.
"He's working hard and feels good," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. He's an important guy for us. He can do things others can't and adds an element to a team."
Malcom Nunez
The 23-year-old, right-handed hitting third baseman acquired from St. Louis in the Jose Quintana trade has a .306 average in AAA with three home runs and six doubles.
"He's off to a good start. All reports from the staff at Indy are encouraging both offensively and defensively. The performance has been really good. He's a talented hitter. Went through a difficult season last year, a lot of physical challenges, in better physical condition, still early, but early signals are positive."
Carmen Mlodzinski
The 25-year-old dealt with an injury early and then was optioned down to AAA after 35 appearances and a 2.25 ERA last season.
"A lot plays off velocity," Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. "When he is in those ranges he was at when he came up (mid-90s and higher), all the other pitches play well. He is working back towards that velocity. He is super competitive, smart and always searching for a way to get better. We saw how important he can be in the big leagues. We believe he's a guy we can count on. He's working towards his best form."
