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