PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He was the spark in the rotation before Paul Skenes was called up, out for over a month with a lat injury, the Pirates anticipate pitcher Jared Jones starting a rehab assignment in AAA soon. Plus, catcher Endy Rodriguez might not be lost in 2024 due to offseason elbow surgery.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington saying during this radio show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday that Jones’ live bullpen session went well on Saturday. He threw 45 pitches in three simulated innings. He would begin his rehab at AAA Indianapolis likely throwing around three innings or 45 pitches and build from there.
“The stuff was good,” said Pirates manager Derek Shelton , saying Jones threw every pitch Saturday. “The stuff was sharp. The sharpness of the stuff I think that will come back as he gets out on rehab outings.”
Cherington said it’s exciting news as another starting pitcher is heading in the right direction. Jones is 5-6 in 16 starts with a 3.56 ERA in 91 innings with 98 strikeouts and a 1.11 WHIP in 2024.
Rodriguez progressing
Suffering what was widely believed to be a season-ending elbow injury while playing winter ball, catcher Endy Rodriguez is progressing nicely.
Asked by Greg Brown if Rodriguez could potentially DH for the Pirates this year.
“We haven’t talked about that, yet,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network. “We don’t like putting ceilings on anybody, but we want to take it a step at a time for his safety.”
Rodriguez went through live batting practice with the Pirates on Saturday. He’s still not able to hit in games from the right side, but the switch-hitter can from the left side. He is also throwing normally with no restrictions.
Cherington said Rodriguez, barring any setbacks, would start by being a designated hitter in the minors. They worked him at first base during pregame at PNC Park on Sunday, but don’t think long-term that it’s a position change.
“He’s getting work at first base primarily so we can make sure he does get some at bats in 2024, not because he’s moving positions, but as a way to get at bats made up for,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network.
Rodriguez might eventually get some catcher work this year, but they don’t want the volume of throws on his elbow as he continues to progress back from surgery. While he works back, he’s been working out and it’s noticeable. Pirates Director of Sports Medicine Todd Tomczyk says Rodriguez is one of the strongest on the team now in terms of lower body.
The 24-year-old played in 57 MLB games last year hitting .220 with seven doubles, two triples, three home runs and 13 RBI with a .612 OPS. Rodriguez hit safely in four of his last six games in 2023 and was five for eight in his last two games.
“It’s exciting to have him around,” Shelton said. “He’s a lot like (Joshua) Palacios, you spend any time around him, if you don’t smile, you are really having a bad day.”
“He looks good. He looks like a grown man walking through. The swings he took were aggressive, unrestricted, that makes me smile because this kid is a big part of what we are doing in the future.”
“We are trying to stay disciplined to the process and steps,” Cherington said. “This is a really important player to us. We believe he is going to be a big part of what we are doing going forward.”
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