Pittsburg, PA

Pirates Announce Next Start for Jared Jones

Published

2 years ago

August 26, 2024

Pirates Announce Next Start for Jared Jones

As we enter the homestretch of the 2024 regular season, the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to make a last-second push for one of the Wild Card spots in the National League. They fell in a big hole thanks to a 10-game losing streak, but have turned their fortunes around recently, winning two of their last three series including taking three-of-four from the Cincinnati Reds.

And now, more help is on the way. Monday afternoon, the team announced that rookie right-hander Jared Jones is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. This will set up a Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Paul Skenes rotation the rest of the way out with Bailey Falter and Luis Ortiz to follow.

Jones last pitched on July 3rd against the St. Louis Cardinals where he went five innings, allowing just one earned run. His pitch count for the night was at 78, so he probably had another inning or so in him but was pulled due to a right lat strain. It was later determined to be a Grade 2 strain, which landed him on the injured list.

In three rehab starts with Triple-A Indianapolis, Jones allowed six runs in eleven innings giving him an ERA of 4.91. His last time out, Jones struck out ten batters with only two Columbus Clippers reaching base (one hit, one walk).

Jones began the season as one of the best rookie pitchers in baseball having one of the best whiff rates in the league. The deeper he got into the season, teams started jumping on the fastball early in counts and the whiff rate dropped significantly. He’s a big piece of the Pirates future, so finishing the year strong, but healthy will be critical.

Tonight, the Pirates will send out Mitch Keller for game one against the Chicago Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. EST.

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Pittsburg, PA

Oneil Cruz Powers Pirates Past Astros

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

PITTSBURGH — Oneil Cruz needs to have a great season for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 and his strong Spring Training continued in their most recent victory.

Cruz hit a three-run home run off of Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray in the top of the fifth inning, playing a big role in the 5-2 victory at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla.

He waited on a changeup on the second pitch, 85.1 mph over the middle of the plate and sent it 106.4 mph off the bat and 368 feet, scoring both left fielder Billy Cook and third baseman Alika Williams with two outs.

That marks the first home run for Cruz in the Grapefruit League, who has had a great Spring Training so far, slashing .538/.600/.846 for an OPS of 1.446 in five games, with seven hits in 13 at-bats.

Pittsburgh got the win after the top of the sixth inning, after a rain delay ended the game.

Pirates Rookie Pitchers Have Up-And-Down Showing vs. Astros

Right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft made his second start for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and dominated vs. the Astros.

Sep 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (67) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Ashcraft threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and a walk, while posting two strikeouts for Pittsburgh.

Former Pirates pitcher, right-handed starter Mike Burrows, countered Ashcraft for the Astros. He threw three scoreless innings himself, allowed one hit and a walk and posted four strikeouts.

The Pirates traded Burrows to the Houston Astros in the three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec. 19, that landed them second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery.

Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler made his second appearance for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League and threw two innings.

Chandler immediately loaded the bases, walking both third baseman Carlos Correa and first baseman Christian Walker, then giving up a single to center fielder Cam Smith.

He came back and struckout right fielder Taylor Trammell and got left fielder Zach Dezenzo to pop out, but gave up a single to second baseman Brice Matthews and a run to the Astros, before ending the inning with a strikeout.

Chandler also gave up a solo home run to Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, on a slider down in the zone.

He finished his outing with three hits, three walks and two earned runs allowed over 1.1 innings pitched, before left-handed pitcher Derek Diamond got the last two outs of the inning.

Chandler struggled in his first Spring Training start vs. the New York Yankees at LECOM Park in Bradenton on Feb. 23, where he allowed four earned runs over 1.2 innings of work.

Feb 23, 2026; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) throws a pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Pirates will need better showings from Chandler, who should serve as a key piece of their starting rotation in 2026.

Other Important Notes from Pirates Victory

The Pirates added two runs in the top of the sixth inning, as Cook hit a single that scored second baseman Nick Yorke and then Williams singled, scoring Cook to make it a 5-2 ball game.

Cook had just one hit in eight at-bats coming into this game and scored twice in the victory, as he walked before the Cruz home run.

Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna led the Pirates with two hits, a good sign for them, as they’ll rely on him greatly for his power and hitting in 2026.

The Pirates are now 7-2 in the Grapefruit League and tied with the Yankees for the top of the standings.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!

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