Pirates News: Jared Jones comeback, number changes, non-roster invitees

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones is on track for a return early in the 2026 season following elbow surgery that sidelined him for all of 2025.

Jones, who emerged as one of Pittsburgh’s most promising young arms in 2024 with a 6–8 record, 4.19 ERA, 1.192 WHIP and 132 strikeouts in 121 innings, began throwing again in December and completed a bullpen session in January.

The 24-year-old remains aligned with the original 10-to-12-month recovery timeline after undergoing surgery in May of 2025, targeting a return sometime between March and May.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now, haven’t had a pretty big hiccup yet, and I’m very grateful for that,” Jones told MLB Network Radio. “It’s been pretty smooth. Just getting back into everything and starting to throw again and getting off the mound, everything feels great, and like how it’s coming out the hand and getting ready to pitch again is what I’m looking forward to most here.”

Jones’ progress offers an encouraging sign for a Pirates rotation built around young, high-upside arms heading into 2026.

As the Pittsburgh Pirates gear up for the 2026 season, seven players on the current roster have selected new jersey numbers, a group of changes led by a meaningful tribute to a franchise icon.

Pirates News: Pittsburgh announces several player number changes

Jones is one of seven Pirates players who will be sporting a new jersey number in 2026, shifting from No. 37 to No. 17.

Infielder Nick Gonzales is also switching from No. 39 to No. 3 in honor of the late Dave Parker, who passed away in June 2025 and was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame. Parker, the 1978 NL MVP and a cornerstone of the 1979 World Series team, wore No. 39 throughout his legendary Pirates career. Many view the change as a symbolic step toward the organization officially retiring Parker’s jersey.

Five other Pirates are also updating their numbers for 2026:

• Braxton Ashcraft: No. 67 → No. 35
• Bubba Chandler: No. 57 → No. 36
• Endy Rodriguez: No. 5 → No. 13
• Evan Sisk: No. 51 → No. 48
• Enmanuel Valdez: No. 48 → No. 47

Pittsburgh's new offseason additions will wear the following numbers: Ryan O’Hearn (29), Brandon Lowe (5), Jake Mangum (28), Jhostynxon Garcia (34), Mason Montgomery (46) and Gregory Soto (31).

Pirates News: Pittsburgh announces seven non-roster invitees to spring training

The Pirates announced seven non-roster invitees to their Major League spring training camp, a group that blends high-upside prospects with experienced depth. Catcher Omar Alfonzo, right-handers Noah Davis and Chris Devenski, infielder Duce Gourson, infielder/outfielder Konnor Griffin, infielder Termarr Johnson and catcher Shawn Ross will all report to big-league camp.

The headliner is Griffin, the 19-year-old phenom who is currently rated as the top prospect in all of baseball by both Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. Griffin slashed .333/.401/.541 with 21 homers, 65 steals, 117 runs and a .942 OPS across three levels in his pro debut, ranking among the minor league leaders in nearly every major offensive category.

Alfonzo enjoyed a strong 2025 between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, posting a .243 average with 14 homers and ranking second in the system in walks. Gourson earned the organization’s Baserunner of the Year award after hitting .275 with 31 steals and an .809 OPS. Johnson, the fourth overall pick in 2022, hit .272 with 59 walks and 20 steals at Altoona and is now MLB Pipeline’s ninth-ranked second base prospect.

Davis and Devenski provide experienced pitching depth, with Devenski owning a 3.91 career ERA and an All-Star résumé from his Houston days. Ross adds power behind the plate after totaling 37 homers over his first two pro seasons.

Overall, the group underscores both the depth and star power in Pittsburgh’s pipeline as the club opens camp.