Pirates Injury Updates: Jared Jones Timetable, ‘Really Good News’ on Nick Gonzales

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk provided updates on several injured players, including right-hander Jared Jones and second baseman Nick Gonzales. 

Jones (right elbow UCL sprain) is cleared to throw and already has had two sessions of light catch from 60 feet with no issues.

As Jones progresses, the Pirates will stretch him out to 90 feet and 120 feet with intent and good form. 

“It’s going to be a collaborative effort, notably with Jared, with our pitching department and our performance team,” Tomczyk said. “(We want him to) continue to be pain free, continue to be fluid, but he missed six weeks, so he’s going to need some time to build up.”

Once he advances in his throwing progression, the next steps will eventually lead to a rehab assignment. Assuming all goes well, the initial rough estimate is that Jones could be inserted back into the Pirates’ rotation in roughly 12 weeks, but nothing is set in stone according to Tomczyk.

“We’re always open to accelerating that, if and when it’s safe and how it’s safe, and what’s best for Jared.” 

As for Gonzales, who has been sidelined with a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle since Opening Day, he is no longer in a walking boot.

“He started walking normally – a little bit of support with what we call an ankle brace or AFO,” said Tomczyk. “You’ll see him throwing. You’ll see him hitting. You’ll probably see him taking ground balls.”

The next goal for Gonzales, according to Tomczyk, is to get him jogging and doing some light agility by the end of the week.

Additional Pirates Updates:

• Endy Rodríguez (right index finger laceration): While Rodríguez’s wound is healing, doctors have opted to immobilize it for another week due the the amount of motion needed in the finger.
• Tim Mazya (lat strain): No-throw for approximately six weeks.
• Justin Lawrence (right elbow inflammation): Still awaiting a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister. He is not throwing.