Jones returns strong after arm surgery

Jared Jones missed the first two months of the season recovering from internal brace surgery on his right arm in May. Now in September, he's pitching at an elite level with a 1.08 ERA across 25 innings.

Perfect game bid through six innings

Jones retired the first 16 batters in order against the Cardinals on Tuesday, striking out six and inducing weak contact. A double in the sixth ended his perfect game bid, but he kept the runner stranded.

“Yeah, I keep flirting with it, but I can't ever get it done.”

Pirates win fifth straight game

Pittsburgh defeated St. Louis 2-0 behind Jones' seven scoreless innings. The Pirates reached 80 wins for the fifth time since 1993, with Ryan O'Hearn's RBI single in the sixth providing the go-ahead run.

September dominance ranks among league best

In four September starts, Jones has a 1.08 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 25 innings. His opposing slugging percentage of .174 ranks first among all pitchers with at least 20 innings this month.

Manager balances performance with long-term health

Pirates manager Don Kelly monitors Jones' pitch count carefully during dominant outings. Kelly said the goal is for Jones to pitch well into 2027 and beyond, and Jones threw only 59 pitches through five perfect innings on Tuesday.

“It's a tough one because ultimately our goal is for Jared Jones to be pitching really well into '27 and beyond.”

Jones confident in his remaining stamina

Jones said he has plenty of gas left in the tank because he missed the first two months of the season. He noted that for him, it should feel like July right now, and he's scheduled to pitch the season finale on Sunday.

“You can say I have gas in the tank because I missed the first two months of the season.”