Pirates Place Promising Young Pitcher On 60-Day Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates confirmed that an essential part of their future won’t be ready to begin the 2026 season.

Pittsburgh officially signed Jose Urquidy on Wednesday night. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Colin Beazley, the Pirates cleared space on their 40-man roster by placing Jared Jones on the 60-day injured list.

Jones underwent an internal brace surgery on his right elbow last May. The procedure gives him a chance to return from a UCL sprain quicker than Tommy John surgery, which typically requires more than 12 months of recovery time.

While Jones now can’t return until late May, the move doesn’t appear to represent a setback. Beazley believed he heard the 24-year-old say, “It’s so back” while throwing on Wednesday.

Jared Jones, throwing baseballs.

Believe I just heard the Pirates RHP saying “It’s so back.” Do what you want with that information. pic.twitter.com/WORwxC4gIj

— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) February 11, 2026

Jones made an immediate impact as a rookie, accumulating 132 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings. The right-hander registered a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2024 with a heater that’s reached triple digits.

An injury halted his chance at an encore last spring. After initially forgoing surgery, the Pirates shut him down before he could pitch in 2025.

A healthy Jones will be vital to Pittsburgh establishing a dominant long-term rotation alongside Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler. The Pirates traded Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo to acquire hitting depth this offseason, but Hunter Barco or the newly signed Urquidy could round out the early-season rotation behind Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft.

More MLB: Rumor: Pirates Agree With Former Astros Pitcher On One Year Deal

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