Pirates Recap: No Rust for Jared Jones, Debut of New-Look Outfield

Based off of first impressions, Jared Jones picked up exactly where he left off from Pittsburgh Pirates spring training last year.

After a solid rookie season, Jones made his first start of spring training in the Pirates’ 2-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday and didn’t show any signs of rust.

Jones covered the first two innings for the Pirates and held the Braves scoreless on one hit. He walked a batter and punched out three.

On display was the familiar four-seam power fastball that the right-hander displayed during his debut season. But in addition to his usual arsenal, Jones featured a two-seam fastball with sink for the first time in game action. He threw his new offering five times and topped out at 95.7 mph.

Here was Jones’ assessment when asked by SportsNet Pittsburgh’s Hannah Mears:

Update on how Jared Jones felt about his new pitch he told me about last week after using it in game action today 👀😂@SNPittsburgh https://t.co/wsAYC3KYSF pic.twitter.com/6XncrThwua

— Hannah Mears (@mearshannah_) February 25, 2025

As was the case last year, Jones will be counted on to give the Pirates meaningful innings in the rotation. Last season, Jones went 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and struck out 132 batters in 121.2 innings across 22 starts.

New-Look Outfield

For the first time this spring, the Pirates deployed the outfield alignment that is expected in the regular season.

Oneil Cruz will man center field after transitioning from shortstop last August. Bryan Reynolds will shift from left field to right field with the newly-signed Tommy Pham patrolling the former.

Pham hit leadoff for the Pirates against the Braves sand went 0 for 2 with a walk. He was followed by Reynolds, who finished 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored. Cruz, who hit third, went 1 for 3 with a stolen base.

It’s possible that Derek Shelton pencils those three names atop his Opening Day lineup next month.

Other Notable Pirates’ Performances

• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 2, one steal
• David Bednar: 1.0 inning, two hits, one run, one strikeout
• Colin Holderman: 1.0 inning, two hits, one run
• Thomas Harrington: 1.0 inning, one hit, no runs, one walk, one strikeout

The Pirates will have a split-squad day on Wednesday with a game at the Braves’ spring site and at home against the Baltimore Orioles. Both games start at 1:05 ET.