Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Sunday that Jones (lat) is expected to begin a rehab assignment "soon," Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander threw live batting practice Saturday, and he's now on the cusp of being cleared for game action. Jones is likely to require multiple starts in the minors before rejoining Pittsburgh's rotation, and he should be able to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of August if he can avoid any setbacks.

Jones (lat) will throw live batting practice Saturday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

After building up to 38 pitches in bullpen sessions over the past several days, Jones has now been given the green light to face live hitters again. His next steps after Saturday's session remain unclear, but if all goes well, he could be sent to one of Pittsburgh's minor-league affiliates to begin a rehab assignment.The 22-year-old righty has been on the injured list since early July due to a Grade 2 right lat strain.

Jones (lat) threw a 38-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

This marked Jones' second bullpen session since landing on the injured list, and he threw all pitches in his arsenal. He'll throw a live bullpen session during the team's upcoming homestand and could head out for a rehab assignment shortly thereafter.

Jones (lat) threw 30 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and used all four pitches in his arsenal, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones threw off a mound for the first time since being placed on the IL on July 4 and was able to mix in all four of his pitches while his fastball sat between 93-95 miles per hour -- his usual bullpen velocity. Hiles noted that the right-hander will throw another bullpen during the Pirates' three-game series in Houston that starts Monday and face hitters after the road trip ends Thursday. It's unclear if Jones will require a rehab assignment.

Jones (lat) is hoping to be ready to throw a bullpen session by this weekend, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones threw on flat ground Tuesday for the second day in a row and on Wednesday he will throw off the front slope of the mound. If that goes well, it sounds like he could be cleared to begin throwing off a mound this weekend. Jones is working his way back from a Grade 2 right lat strain, an injury he suffered in early July.

Jones' (lat) throwing session Tuesday was from flat ground, not from the mound as previously indicated, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Destin had reported earlier that Jones was throwing a bullpen session, but he later issued a correction, noting it was a flat-ground throwing session from the Pirates' bullpen. While it means the right-hander isn't quite as far along as previously indicated, it's still good news that he is doing any kind of throwing for the second day in a row. Jones has been sidelined for most of July with a Grade 2 right lat strain.

Jones (lat) threw a bullpen session at PNC Park on Tuesday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones did some flat-ground throwing Monday and was then spotted progressing to mound work a day later, which is certainly a good sign as he works his way back from a Grade 2 lat strain. The Pirates will certainly proceed cautiously with the prized youngster, particularly since he was going to have his workload limited somewhat down the stretch, anyway, but this is a big step in his recovery.

Jones (lat) threw off flat ground from about 90 to 120 feet Monday, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones has started up a throwing progression just under three weeks after landing on the injured list earlier this month with a Grade 2 right lat strain. While it's encouraging sign that the 22-year-old is throwing again, Jones is likely to be ramped up slowly and deliberately with his long-term health in mind. A clearer target date for Jones' return from the IL probably won't be known until he reaches the point in his rehab where he's facing hitters, but fantasy managers should prepare for his absence to stretch into August, at the very least.

Jones will be shut down for two weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 right lat strain, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will be re-evaluated after those two weeks before the next steps of his rehab are determined. The rookie right-hander suffered the injury during his last start Wednesday against the Cardinals and was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday. Given the ramp-up that will be required after the shutdown period, it seems safe to rule Jones out for at least the remainder of July.

The Pirates placed Jones on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a strained right lat, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury caused Jones to be removed early from Wednesday's start against the Cardinals. It does not appear to be a significant strain, but the Pirates undoubtedly will exercise caution with the talented young right-hander. Luis Ortiz would seem to be a good bet to slide into the Pirates' rotation in Jones' place.