Pirates Injury Update: Oneil Cruz recovery, Jared Jones timeline, reliever rehabs

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been without one of their top players for the past week, as center fielder Oneil Cruz went on the seven-day concussion list on Aug. 13 after colliding with Jack Suwinski in the outfield the day before.

General manager Ben Cherington addressed Cruz’s recovery during his weekly radio show Sunday on 97.3 The Fan. While Cruz is doing on-field plyometrics work and has taken swings in the batting cage, Cherington cautioned that he is not yet ready for a full return.

"We’re certainly hoping this is a matter of days," Cherington said. "But it is a concussion, so we’ll literally take it a day at a time.”

Pirates Injury Update: Jared Jones expected to return to starting rotation next season

Cherington also provided an update on starting pitcher Jared Jones, who underwent an internal brace procedure on his right elbow while avoiding full reconstruction of the UCL. Jones is expected to start a throwing program this fall, which Cherington called "an exciting milestone" in his recovery.

Jones was 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts during an impressive rookie campaign in 2024. While the 24-year-old is expected to rejoin the Pirates' starting rotation at some point next season, Cherington warned that there is no set timetable for his return due to the nature of his injury.

Justin Lawrence, Tim Mayza begin minor league rehab assignments

A pair of Pirates relievers took a positive step in their recovery from their respective injuries this week, as both left-hander Tim Mayza and right-hander Justin Lawrence began rehab assignments with Single-A Bradenton on Tuesday.

Mayza, who has been sidelined with a left shoulder lat muscle strain since April 19, started Tuesday's game for Bradenton and faced four batters, logging 20 pitches. He recorded a pair of outs but gave up a single and a double to put runners in scoring position before a call was made to the bullpen.

Lawrence, who has been on the injured list with right elbow inflammation since April 24, took over in the second inning and allowed one hit while posting three strikeouts over 22 pitches.

After splitting last season between the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, Mayza signed a minor league contract with the Pirates in January and made the Opening Day roster out of spring training. He made seven appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates this season before his injury, posting a 2.89 ERA in 9 1/3 innings pitched.

Lawrence, whom the Pirates claimed off waivers from the Colorado Rockies at the beginning of March, excelled during his brief stint in the Pittsburgh bullpen with an 0.79 ERA in 11 appearances and 11 1/3 innings pitched. He allowed just five hits and six walks while posting 15 strikeouts and an opposing batting average of .139.

There is no set timetable for either reliever's return, but Mayza's in particular could be a major boost to a Pirates bullpen that currently has just one healthy southpaw in Evan Sisk.

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