Pirates Rookie Pitcher Jared Jones Lands on 15-Day Injured List with Lat Muscle Strain

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitcher Jared Jones has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a grade 2 lat muscle strain, according to manager Derek Shelton. Before Friday’s series opener against the New York Mets, Shelton told reporters that Jones is expected to be out for longer than two weeks. The right-hander won’t throw again for at least two weeks, and after that, the Pirates will re-evaluate him before deciding how to move forward.

Shelton said that Jones’ injury was likely caused by overuse and fatigue. The rookie has pitched 91 innings this season in 16 starts, with a 3.56 ERA ranking 10th among rookie starting pitchers. He has also struck out 98 batters this season. However, Shelton noted that the Pirates have been monitoring Jones’ pitch and inning counts carefully and have been giving him more rest as needed.

Jones was pulled from his start against the Cardinals on Wednesday after five innings, which many assumed was done for load management reasons. However, Shelton said that Jones was taken out of the game for an “abundance of caution.” Prior to getting pulled, the rookie allowed one run, four hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 78 pitches. Jones admitted that he felt tightness in his right lat and was pulled after he told trainers about it. But he insisted there was “nothing to be concerned about.”

With Jones out of action for at least two weeks, the Pirates will need to rely on their other starters to keep up with their schedule. Despite a record of 41–45 going into Friday’s game, the Pirates are still four games out of the National League’s final wild-card playoff spot.