The 24-Year-Old Who Missed 20 Months Is Back and Nobody in Baseball Is Ready For It

Alright, buckle up, Emerald City! You gotta hear about this because it's wild. Tonight, the baseball world gets a blast from the past, and I'm not talking about some old-timer. We're talking about Jared Jones, the Pirates' electric right-hander, making his first start in the majors since way back on September 27, 2024. This dude's been out for 20 months after right elbow internal brace surgery, and he's finally back on the mound against the Minnesota Twins. Talk about a comeback story!

The Comeback Kid's Firepower

Can you believe it? Twenty months! That's an eternity in baseball. Jones, at just 24 years old, is adding another power arm to Pittsburgh's young rotation. We're talking a 97 mph four-seamer and a nasty slider that just eats up hitters. He didn't just sit around either. He made five rehab starts in the minors, showing he's ready with a 2.89 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and only six walks in 18 2/3 innings. That's getting it done! Jones himself said going through surgery and missing an entire year "definitely sucks," but he's "grateful for it." He feels like he "really got to learn how I can throw my other pitches and make 'em a lot better," and it showed in rehab. That kind of mindset after such a long layoff? You love to see it! His return is so big that Carmen Mlodzinski, who has a 4-3 record with a 3.76 ERA in 55 innings, will move to a bulk/long-relief role in the bullpen. That's a huge shift for their pitching staff!

Shelton's Revenge and Twins' Troubles

But wait, there's more drama than just Jones' return! Twins manager Derek Shelton is also making his own homecoming to Pittsburgh, facing the team that fired him on May 8, 2025, after a brutal 12-26 start to their season. Shelton was the Pirates' manager for six seasons and didn't have a winning season during his tenure. He was then hired by the Twins last October, where he had previously been a bench coach in 2018 and 2019. This is pure narrative gold! Shelton was reflective this week, admitting he thought he "got away from the attention to detail" from his space last year and wanted to "make sure that if I ever did get the next opportunity that I would stay more on top of it." Meanwhile, the Twins are trying to flip some momentum after losing three of four games to the Chicago White Sox this week. Their pitching rotation is a mess with injuries. Kendry Rojas was a late scratch due to posterior elbow soreness, and Simeon Woods Richardson, who took his place, got lit up for five runs in just 2 2/3 innings in a 6-2 loss. Taj Bradley, their opposing starter with a 5-1 record and a 2.77 ERA, returned from an injured list stint earlier, striking out seven and allowing just one run in five innings against the Boston Red Sox. So, here we go! It's Jones' big return after a two-year absence, a power arm back to boost the Pirates, and Shelton back in the building where he got canned. This isn't just another game, folks. It's a statement night for both teams, and you know we'll be watching to see how this all shakes out!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.