Jared Jones underwent season-ending surgery this afternoon in Dallas with elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister to repair the UCL in his right elbow and is projected to return to game action in 10-12 months, the Pirates announced this afternoon.
"It's really tough losing him, obviously, for this year," Don Kelly said after the Pirates' 3-1 win over the Reds today at PNC Park. "But you feel for him, going through it. And the UCL repair, sounds like, from what Todd said, 10 to 12 months, maybe. I know that he's going to dominate his rehab, and I haven't got to talk to him yet, but I will this evening. He's a worker too, so looking forward to having him back whenever he's healthy."
Jones met with Meister yesterday and senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said this morning after "a lot of contemplation" and "a lot of learning from multiple experts in and outside the industry," Jones and his team decided to proceed with surgery.
The 23-year-old right hander suffered a setback in his rehab while throwing out to 120 feet last week. Tomczyk said Jones' elbow "didn't feel good" after a session. The information was relayed to the medical team and consultations were conducted with Dr. Meister and team physicians.
"What we've learned with other athletes, is that's kind of where, if there's going to be a setback, when you get to the 100-feet, 120-feet phase is where the injury manifests itself," Tomczyk said.
Jones has been out since March 19 when the Pirates announced he was experiencing lingering pain in his right elbow following his last spring training start on March 13. He was diagnosed with a UCL sprain a week later.
When assessing the injury at that time, Tomczyk said the "whole gamut of options" were shared with Jones and his camp. Ultimately, they felt comfortable moving forward without surgery as they felt there "was a fighting chance to see if (Jones) could return," Tomczyk said.
"When a professional athlete is committed to a process, whether it's surgery, committing to a new plan, that they have to have that in the front of their minds that 'this is the best decision' and at that point, Jared wasn't ready for that. We didn't think it was the right thing or appropriate," Tomczyk said. "By we, I mean all of us, that was a necessary step. Through that process, through the last six weeks, what we learned is Jared yesterday shared with us that he can no longer continue to build back into competition without proceeding with surgery."
Jones underwent a six-week no-throw program and then began a plyo-ball program April 9. Two weeks ago, the Pirates reported Jones was in the second week of his throwing program and was throwing on flat ground up to 75 feet. He accompanied the team on its trip to New York and Philadelphia to continue his rehab.
Prior to being shut down this spring, Jones was poised to once again serve as a key member of the Pirates' starting rotation. As a rookie last season, he went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 22 starts. He limited opposing hitters to a .232 batting average, struck out 132 batters and walked 39 in 121 2/3 innings.
Jones will accrue service time in his recovery. He'll enter pre-arbitration next season and his first arbitration year will be in 2027.
Here's Tomczyk's full availability:
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THE ASYLUM
José Negron
3:37 pm - 05.21.2025North ShoreJones undergoes UCL repair, out 10-12 months
Jared Jones underwent season-ending surgery this afternoon in Dallas with elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister to repair the UCL in his right elbow and is projected to return to game action in 10-12 months, the Pirates announced this afternoon.
"It's really tough losing him, obviously, for this year," Don Kelly said after the Pirates' 3-1 win over the Reds today at PNC Park. "But you feel for him, going through it. And the UCL repair, sounds like, from what Todd said, 10 to 12 months, maybe. I know that he's going to dominate his rehab, and I haven't got to talk to him yet, but I will this evening. He's a worker too, so looking forward to having him back whenever he's healthy."
Jones met with Meister yesterday and senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said this morning after "a lot of contemplation" and "a lot of learning from multiple experts in and outside the industry," Jones and his team decided to proceed with surgery.
The 23-year-old right hander suffered a setback in his rehab while throwing out to 120 feet last week. Tomczyk said Jones' elbow "didn't feel good" after a session. The information was relayed to the medical team and consultations were conducted with Dr. Meister and team physicians.
"What we've learned with other athletes, is that's kind of where, if there's going to be a setback, when you get to the 100-feet, 120-feet phase is where the injury manifests itself," Tomczyk said.
Jones has been out since March 19 when the Pirates announced he was experiencing lingering pain in his right elbow following his last spring training start on March 13. He was diagnosed with a UCL sprain a week later.
When assessing the injury at that time, Tomczyk said the "whole gamut of options" were shared with Jones and his camp. Ultimately, they felt comfortable moving forward without surgery as they felt there "was a fighting chance to see if (Jones) could return," Tomczyk said.
"When a professional athlete is committed to a process, whether it's surgery, committing to a new plan, that they have to have that in the front of their minds that 'this is the best decision' and at that point, Jared wasn't ready for that. We didn't think it was the right thing or appropriate," Tomczyk said. "By we, I mean all of us, that was a necessary step. Through that process, through the last six weeks, what we learned is Jared yesterday shared with us that he can no longer continue to build back into competition without proceeding with surgery."
Jones underwent a six-week no-throw program and then began a plyo-ball program April 9. Two weeks ago, the Pirates reported Jones was in the second week of his throwing program and was throwing on flat ground up to 75 feet. He accompanied the team on its trip to New York and Philadelphia to continue his rehab.
Prior to being shut down this spring, Jones was poised to once again serve as a key member of the Pirates' starting rotation. As a rookie last season, he went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 22 starts. He limited opposing hitters to a .232 batting average, struck out 132 batters and walked 39 in 121 2/3 innings.
Jones will accrue service time in his recovery. He'll enter pre-arbitration next season and his first arbitration year will be in 2027.
Here's Tomczyk's full availability:
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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