‘Pretty damn cool’ Jared Jones returns Friday

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Normally the emotions the public sees from Jared Jones is excitement or intensity, the Pirates pitcher was a bit reflective on Thursday afternoon after news of his return from right arm surgery.

“It’s pretty damn cool,” Jones said.

“It took a lot of time, 12 months almost exactly, of not playing baseball. You get a sense, it’s like you need it. That’s what I’ve learned about myself over that time and I’m extremely grateful to be back.”

The right-hander’s last pitch in the majors came on September 27, 2024 at Yankee Stadium. The last one at PNC Park was September 15^th of that year.

“It’s been a tough road to get back here, but now that I’m here, I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Jones said. “It’s pretty cool to be back.”

As much as being on the mound and competing, it’s missing time around his friends. Most notably the others currently in the rotation-Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler. Pirates decided to move Carmen Mlodzinski to the bullpen to allow Jones to start.

“I haven't been around the guys for basically all of last year and the first month and a half-ish of this year,” Jones said at the PNC Park interview room before the series finale against the Cubs. “Not being in the clubhouse or being around your friends is kind of tough, but luckily for me I've got a pretty cool wife and a pretty cool dog back at home. They made it easy on me.”

Jones made five rehab starts in four different cities-Bradenton, Altoona, Toledo and Indianapolis going 0-1, 2.89 ERA, 18.2 innings six walks, 24 strikeouts, 1.02 WHIP. He feels like he got the equivalent of a spring training warmup.

The 24-year-old said there wasn’t enough time to thank all who were a part of his recovery. It’s now starting to feel real for Jones that in hours he will be back on the mound in the majors.

Jared Jones returns to MLB on Friday

“I feel like I got pretty excited with my first rehab start,” Jones said. “Obviously that was just the beginning, and then the last one in Toledo got the juices going a little bit. Obviously (Friday) will be (Friday).”

And he will make that return against his former Pirates manager, now leading the Twins, Derek Shelton.

“Yeah, I’m wearing 17, too, huh?” Jones quipped.

In his only MLB season, Jones was 6-8, 4.14 ERA with 132 strikeouts to 39 walks in 121.2 innings. In the time he’s been away, is he a different pitcher now?

“I guess we’ll find out (Friday).”