Pirates right‑hander Jared Jones is set to start Friday night against the Minnesota Twins, marking his first MLB appearance since a 2024 rookie campaign. He missed the entire 2025 season after suffering an elbow injury in spring training and undergoing internal brace surgery on May 21, 2025. “Pretty damn cool,” the 24‑year‑old said, adding he feels grateful to be back.

Jones logged five rehab starts in the minors, tossing 18⅓ innings to prove his arm is ready. In 2024 he posted a 6‑8 record with a 4.14 ERA over 22 starts. Meanwhile, manager Don Kelly will shift Carmen Mlodzinski from the rotation to the bullpen; the former starter is 4‑3 with a 3.76 ERA this year and boasts a 2.63 career relief ERA.

The move gives Pittsburgh a multi‑inning, high‑leverage arm in the pen while Jones aims to reinforce a rotation that has struggled for consistency. If Jones can replicate his 2024 form and Mlodzinski adapts to a bullpen role, the Pirates improve their chances against a potent Twins lineup. The Friday start will be the first test of that new configuration.