It began like any other slow morning at the ballpark – routine drills, light throws, and the hope that better days were just around the corner. However, beneath the surface of the Pirates trying to identify their footing, something quietly unraveled, setting in motion a chain of events that would strike at the heart of the team already tiptoeing through instability.

It was not just a bump in the road. It was a gut punch. The kind that forces tough decisions and harder interactions. A young and promising star in the team found himself facing a situation that no pitcher wants to face mid-season: the table, the doctor and the surgery.

Jared Jones was supposed to be the Pirates’ next big weapon. At just 23, the right-hander burst onto the scene in 2024 with a fastball that touched triple digits. But now, with the team struggling to identify consistency, Jones is officially headed for elbow surgery—a decision that could sideline him for the remainder of 2025 and possibly part of 2026.

“Late last week when he started throwing 100 feet, the arm didn’t feel good… that’s when we made the decision,” manager Derek Shelton told KDKA’s Cassidy Wood.

Jones had been ramping up in hopes of returning after the All-Star break. The initial diagnosis in March was a strained elbow ligament, which seemed stable enough for a six-week shutdown. But the latest setback during his throwing program changed everything. He now joins a long list of young pitchers whose careers get interrupted before they truly begin.

Just months ago, fans watched him dot corners at 99 mph, striking out hitters with ease. As the broadcast captured one of his final outings: “Boy, that’s a perfect pitch right there… strike three.” But just like that, the promise fades—at least for now.

With Jones sidelined, the team is now forced to reshuffle their rotation approaches, something the Pirates could not have thought of this early. The focus quickly turns to Thomas Harrington. He is a promising righty climbing the minor league ranks with poise and precision. He has been punching out batters with a solid K/9 and keeping runs in check with a sharp ERA.

Given the star’s quick enhancement and polish, Harrington looks like the logical next man up and do not be surprised if he becomes a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate.

Still, the team has some other cards in their deck. Bubba Chandler, arguably the highest-ceiling star in the Pirates, is another tempting option. While his pure capability screams MLB-ready, the management could play it safe to manage service time.

Stars, like Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft, round out the depth, though they may see more Triple-A innings before they are truly in the mix. With the rotation now missing a vital star, the force is on to make the right call. Whoever gets the nod will be expected not just to fill in, but to keep this pitching staff afloat amid a rocky season.

Why Paul Skenes is off-limits for now

With the Pirates rotation taking a hit because of Jared Jones’ injury, it was only a matter of time before fans turned their attention to the team’s biggest star: Paul Skenes. The rumor mill kicked into overdrive, highlighting that the Pirates could deal their star pitcher to spark a full rebuild. However, as per MLB insider Jon Heyman, a high-level team source slammed the brakes on that speculation. “No chance, no way, no how,” the source said of a Skenes trade. It sent a loud message that despite chaos, he is staying put.

Frankly, it makes sense. Skenes is not just any pitcher, he is the kind of star teams build dynasties around. After dominating in his rookie year with a 1.96 ERA and an All-Star Game start, the star has provided a respectable 2.46 ERA in 2025 despite a shaky win-loss record.

If the Pirates hope to salvage anything from a season clouded by injuries, keeping Skenes front and center is non-negotiable. While losing Jones hurts, the team is not pressing the panic button just yet. Instead, the management is doubling down on its biggest asset, utilizing Skenes, as the foundation for whatever comes next in this rebuild-on-the-fly.

The Pirates could be down a vital arm, however, they are not down for the count. With Paul Skenes anchoring the rotation and fresh talent on the rise, the path forward still has power. Stick with us as we track every pitch, prospect and pivot in this vital stretch of the season.

`