Morning Rundown: Jared Jones to miss final spring start, Pirates lose to Rays
Jones felt elbow discomfort after bullpen session, Pirates drop game to Rays
The Pittsburgh Pirates may be without right-handed pitcher Jared Jones to begin the season. It was reported today that he was feeling some elbow discomfort during his last bullpen session and will not make his final spring training start.
Todd Tomczyk mentioned that Jones ‘wasn’t recovering as we would like him, he would like himself to,’ after his most recent bullpen session. They are in the process where they are trying to learn as much as possible, which includes getting some imaging done. They are also waiting for a second opinion.
According to the team, this is all standard procedure in these situations.
Jones last pitched last Thursday against the Twins at Fort Myers, a game that Bailey Falter was expected to start.
Expected to be a big part of their 2024 season, losing Jones would cause the Pirates to examine their depth earlier than expected. Their depth consists mainly of some of their top arms in the system, including Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows, who are both on the 40-man roster.
Thomas Harrington, the 36th overall pick in 2022, is still in major league camp and recently pitched 3.2 innings against the Phillies on Tuesday.
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, 5-2. They now have four games left in the spring before the start of the regular season.
Andrew Heaney gave up another two home runs, allowing three earned runs on six hits over 4.1 innings pitched. He’s now allowed four home runs in 12.1 innings this spring.
Colin Holderman struck out the only two batters he faced, coming in to replace Heaney. Joey Wentz and Tim Mayza struck out two, but the latter allowed two runs on three hits.
Ji Hwan Bae picked up another two hits with a run and RBI. Henry Davis, who started at catcher, went 2-3 with a run.
Pittsburgh is off on Thursday but will continue its final stretch of games on Friday on the road against the Boston Red Sox. Mitch Keller is slated to start, facing Red Sox’s opening day starter, Garrett Crochet
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Borucki has an opt-out this weekend. He's had such a good spring, he should have an easy time finding a roster spot somewhere. I don't think they can afford to let him go. It's not like they just have to have Shugart and Strzelecki.
Verdugo signed w Atl for 1.5M. I didn’t want him, but how on earth does Pham get $4M and Verdugo 1.5? Maybe Nuttin should be cheaper.