PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates most dominant pitcher at the start of the season, right-hander Jared Jones could soon be back in the rotation.
GM Ben Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday that reports were Jones stuff was good. He reached 100 mph and Cherington said he would need at least one more start.
The start from the 23-year-old working to return from a lat injury was a gem in Columbus Tuesday. Jones allowed one hit over five innings with one walk and struck out 10. A step-up with 73 pitches, 53 were for strikes. Jones went 2.2 innings in his first rehab start allowing two runs on a hit, walk and three strikeouts. Four earned allowed in his second start, 3.1 innings, seven hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
In 16 starts in MLB this season, the rookie is 5-6, 3.56 ERA, 91 innings, 27 walks, 98 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP.
Other AAA Notes
· Infielder Nick Gonzales made his first rehab appearance (left groin discomfort) going 1-3 with a strikeout
· OF Joshua Palacios walked twice
· LHP Ryan Borucki with a perfect inning, striking out two
· RHP Carmen Mlodzinski struck out one in a perfect inning
· RHP Colin Holderman gave up a solo home run for a blown save
· INF Nick Yorke continues his run with Indianapolis going 2-4 with the lone RBI. Since joining the Pirates in early August, Yorke is hitting .351 with 9RBI, .403 on-base, .844 OPS
· INF/OF Billy Cook is hitting .395, .460 on-base, .875 OPS with eight extra base hits since joining the Pirates in August. He has a hit in every game but three.
· Indy batters struck out 17 times, four by Malcom Nunez, three from Liover Peguero
