Jones was removed from his start Wednesday versus St. Louis due to a right lat strain, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones managed to get through five innings of one-run ball while striking out five batters and walking two before coming out of Wednesday's contest. The 22-year-old said after the game that he could have kept pitching if necessary, but the team opted for a cautious approach in order to prevent his injury from worsening. Pittsburgh will keep an eye on Jones' lat as his next start approaches, but the initial level of concern seems relatively low.

Jones is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will slot back into the rotation for the first time since June 22 after the Pirates opted to skip his turn this past week. The decision to bypass Jones' turn wasn't based on any injury; instead, the Pirates are cognizant of keeping the 23-year-old right-hander's workload in check during his first season in the majors. The Pirates haven't offered up a firm innings limit for Jones in 2024 nor outlined their plans on when/if he might be skipped again, but fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to keep him active when he's confirmed to start. Though he's had more trouble keeping walks in check in his recent starts compared to earlier in the campaign, Jones will still head into his 16th start of the season Wednesday with stellar ratios (3.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 19.4 K-BB%).

Jones isn't listed among the Pirates' probable starting pitchers for this weekend's series in Atlanta, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones will thus go the entire week without making a start, much to the chagrin of fantasy managers in weekly leagues who chose to keep him active. Gorman notes that general manager Ben Cherington has previously said that while the Pirates don't intend to shut Jones or fellow rookie phenom Paul Skenes down at any point this season, both pitchers will have their respective workloads managed to some degree as the campaign unfolds. Jones isn't dealing with any sort of injury, so the Pirates appear to have simply chosen this week as an opportunity to build in more recovery for the right-hander, who has logged 86 innings through his first 15 big-league starts. Jones now appears to be in line to make his next start at some point during next week's series versus the Cardinals.

Jones (5-6) picked up the win in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Rays, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over seven innings. He struck out eight.

EDGE Analysis

The day began in rough fashion for the rookie right-hander, as he hit both Brandon Lowe (toe) and Amed Rosario (face) with pitches, the latter being unable to escape a 99.6 mph fastball up and in. Rosario appeared to avoid a serious injury however, and once play resumed, Jones was able to re-focus and put together his best performance since his 10-strikeout one-hitter against the Rockies on May 4. Through his first 15 big-league starts, Jones sports a 3.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 93:25 K:BB through 86 innings. He's scheduled to make his next trip to the mound on the road next weekend in Atlanta.

Jones (4-6) took the loss against the Rockies on Saturday, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Jones struck out three of the first four batters he faced on the night before allowing two batters to reach in the second, though he managed to escape the inning unscathed thanks to a double-play ball. However, that luck did not continue as the right-hander went on to surrender at least one run in each of the next three frames while issuing a season-high four walks in the contest. Jones has now surrendered five or more runs in two of his last four starts and has issued multiple free passes in five straight. It also marked the second time in his last four outings that he was unable to make it through five innings.

Jones did not factor into the decision Sunday against Minnesota, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Jones struggled to find his footing early, allowing all three of his runs in a shaky first inning during which he walked two batters and allowed the bases to be loaded with just one out. The 22-year-old rookie was able to settle in afterwards, but his control has been a minor cause of concern recently -- Sunday was his fourth consecutive game allowing multiple walks. In that span, Jones has compiled a 4.25 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and a meager 16:11 K:BB over 21.2 innings. Jones is still an excellent fantasy option, although he will be tested in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend at Coors Field in Colorado.

Jones (4-5) earned the win Tuesday over the Dodgers, allowing three hits and three walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

It was an impressive return to form for Jones after he gave up a season-high five runs in 4.1 innings in his last start against Detroit. It's the fifth quality start in Jones' last six outings -- his ERA now sits at 3.25 with a 1.01 WHIP 76:15 K:BB across 12 starts (69.1 innings) in his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old Jones is currently lined up for a home matchup with the Twins this weekend in his next start.

Jones (3-5) took the loss in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader split with the Tigers, coughing up seven runs (five earned) on five hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander didn't get much help from his defense, but he also didn't have his best stuff and failed to complete at least five innings for the first time this season. Jones' two strikeouts were also a season low, as he managed only four swinging strikes among his 83 pitches. The 22-year-old sports a 3.55 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 70:12 K:BB through his first 63.1 big-league innings, and Jones will look to get back on track in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Dodgers.

Jones and the Pirates will not play the Tigers on Tuesday due to inclement weather, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tuesday's contest will be made up during a doubleheader Wednesday, and Jones will presumably pitch one of the two games. The 22-year-old right-hander owns a 3.05 ERA and 0.97 WHIP on the year, though he's allowed three earned runs in six innings during both of his last two outings.

Jones didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Giants, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks across six innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie delivered a fourth consecutive quality start Wednesday and generated a double play in three separate innings to keep the Giants from putting a runner in scoring position until the fifth frame. In that fifth inning, Jones allowed a double and an RBI single to the first two batters he faced, then he surrendered a two-run homer to Matt Chapman in the sixth. Jones is one quality start shy of the league lead and holds a 3.05 ERA with a 68:10 K:BB across 59.0 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers in Detroit on Tuesday.