Pirates Injury Update: Jared Jones, Bailey Falter take real steps forward

As the Pittsburgh Pirates wrap up a homestand and prepare to embark on a six-game road trip to close out July, two members of their starting rotation are working their way back from the injured list.

José Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reported on Tuesday that injured starting pitcher Jared Jones has resumed playing catch and is "out to about 100, 105 feet." Jones has been on the injured list since July 4 with a right lat strain after going 5-6 with a 3.56 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched through his first 16 starts.

Per Negron, Jones threw with a catcher on flat ground Wednesday; the next step in the rehab process involves him throwing off a slope, or a "short box" on Thursday. If that goes well, he would be lined up to throw a bullpen this weekend.

“If he throws his first bullpen this coming weekend, which we envision him to do, he will probably need another time off the slope throwing a side. Maybe a live BP or two and we will consider next steps after that," Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said (per Negron). "I think we are looking at, rough estimate, everything goes as we envision, seven to 10 days of a couple more bullpens and live BPs.”

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington had provided an update earlier in the week that Jones had resumed throwing, but warned that the injury would necessitate a longer recovery process due to the need to build up volume and pitch count. Based on Tomczyk's comments, it sounds like Jones is progressing as expected, and he should still be on track to return to the Pirates' rotation sometime in August.

Bailey Falter throws 60 pitches in rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis

Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter, who has been on the IL since July 7 with left triceps tendinitis, also began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday. He threw 60 pitches – 42 of which were strikes – and struck out three over three innings. He surrendered five hits, two earned runs and no walks.

Depending on how Falter feels after Wednesday's start and how his recovery progresses, his return to action with Pittsburgh could be imminent – more so than Jones', at least.

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