Should Jared Jones Return to the Pirates Rotation or Bullpen?

Jared Jones made his second rehab start with Indianapolis, and while the box score was not perfect, the bigger takeaway was clear: the power stuff is still there, the fastball touched 100 MPH, and he got through the outing healthy. Now the Pirates have a real decision coming.

On today’s OffBeat, Alex Stumpf breaks down Jones’ rehab outing, why the bullpen conversation exists, and why moving him into a relief role may not be as simple as it sounds. From workload concerns to late-inning transition challenges to the value of keeping him on a starter’s schedule, this episode looks at both possible paths for Jones when he returns to Pittsburgh.

Could Jared Jones be an impact reliever in 2026? Maybe. But should the Pirates prioritize his long-term role as a starting pitcher? That is the real debate.

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