In a recent announcement, the Pittsburgh Pirates revealed that right-hander Jared Jones has been placed on the 15-day injured list (IL) due to a right lat strain. Manager Derek Shelton attributed Jones' early exit from his start against the Cardinals to the injury, stating that the decision was made to prioritize his well-being.

The Pirates have been transparent about their intention to carefully manage the workload of their young pitching staff this season, which includes promising rookies like Jones and Skenes. The duo has been a revelation at the top of the Pirates' rotation, with Jones boasting an impressive 3.56 ERA and a 26.4% strikeout rate in sixteen starts, while Skenes has recorded a 2.06 ERA and struck out 34.1% of opponents in nine starts.

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of their young pitchers, the team has been proactive in managing their workload. Prior to last night's game, Jones had not pitched since June 22. Given this cautious approach, it is not surprising that the Pirates decided to sideline Jones rather than risk aggravating his lat injury, even though both Shelton and Jones have indicated that the injury is expected to be minor.

At this time, a specific timetable for Jones' return has not been publicly discussed. However, the Pirates will need to find a replacement for him in the rotation, irrespective of the length of his IL stint, as they are scheduled to play against the Mets on July 8. To temporarily reinforce their bench, the club has called up outfielder Joshua Palacios. Finding a suitable replacement for Jones will be a priority for the Pirates in the coming days.

One potential option for the Pirates could be right-hander Braxton Ashcraft, the team's fifth-ranked prospect according to MLB.com. Ashcraft has been dominant at the Double-A and Triple-A levels this year, maintaining a solid 3.00 ERA and striking out 25.9% of batters across 69 innings. Although he has only made three starts at the Triple-A level so far, he is already on the Pirates' 40-man roster.

Alternatively, the Pirates could turn to non-roster pitchers like Jake Woodford, who had Major League experience earlier this year with the White Sox and has performed well at Triple-A since joining the organization last month, achieving a 2.08 ERA in three starts. However, opting for Woodford or other non-roster veterans would require the club to make room on the 40-man roster.

Whomever the Pirates choose to replace Jones will face the challenge of contributing during what has become one of the team's most competitive seasons in years. With a respectable 41-44 record, the Pirates sit just three games behind the final National League playoff spot. This performance has led the team's ownership to suggest that they will be aggressive in improving the club during the summer.

The Pirates' rotation, anchored by Jones and Skenes, along with Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter, and Martin Perez, has played a significant role in the team's success, collectively registering a combined ERA of 3.63, which ranks sixth among all starting staffs in the league.