Pirates Add Mike Burrows to Active Roster, Option Jared Jones

A day after putting him on the Major League taxi squad, the Pittsburgh Pirates have added right-handed pitching prospect Mike Burrows to the expanded 28-man roster ahead of Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees.

Burrows, the Pirates’ 11th round pick in 2018, underwent Tommy John surgery last year but made his return to the mound in the middle of this season. In 16 appearances across three levels in 2024, Burrows went 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA, including finishing 1-1 with a 4.06 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 37.2 innings pitched with Triple-A Indianapolis.

In six seasons in the Pirates’ minor league system, Burrows owns a 10-14 record with a 3.72 ERA in 70 appearances, 66 of which have been starts. In 259 innings, he’s allowed 216 hits, walked 101 and recorded 291 strikeouts.

Assuming he gets in one of the final two games, the 24-year-old will be the seventh player this season to make their MLB debut with the Pirates. The organization’s No. 16 prospect will wear No. 53.

To make room for him on the active roster, the Pirates optioned right-hander Jared Jones to the Florida Complex League. It’s a procedural move as Jones’ 2024 campaign concluded with Friday’s win over the Yankees.

Jones burst onto the scene after unexpectedly earning a starting rotation spot out of spring training. The 23-year-old was off to a terrific start before landing on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain in early July. After returning from injury, Jones scuffled some through the end of the season.

All-in-all, it was an encouraging first season for Jones. He finished the year 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and struck out 132 batters in 121.2 innings. Among rookie starters, Jones s tied for third with 11 quality starts and ranks sixth in strikeouts.