Jared Jones' injury gives Cubs even more expectations for dominating the NL Central

We touched on last week that the Pittsburgh Pirates were dealing with an ominous injury update for starting pitcher Jared Jones, who was shutdown prematurely during spring training.

On the eve of Opening Day, the Chicago Cubs' National League Central provided an update on where things stand with Jones. While Jones won't require surgery, the second-year starting pitcher is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season.

The Pirates now have a big question mark in their rotation. Of course, the Pirates' starting rotation is topped by second-year phenom, Paul Skenes. Assuming health, Skenes could prove to be the best starting pitcher in not just the National League, but all of Major League Baseball by the end of the 2025 season. Mitch Keller will follow Skenes in the Pirates' rotation but after that, there is uncertainty.

Entering the 2025 season, the Pirates' rotation was going to be the reason that they could be a sleeper candidate to contend in the National League Central. Now, with Jones out for the first six weeks of the season, the Pirates' chances of being an upstart contender have halted.

Cubs' NL Central rival already dealing with a major injury

The injury to Jones only adds to the expectation the Cubs should have of dominating the National League Central. Despite their winless start to the season, the Cubs remain, on paper, the best team in the division. With Jones sidelined for the first month and change of the season, the Pirates are likely still closer to the bottom of the division than they are the top.

For the Cubs, the situation the Pirates find themselves should add to the importance of the rotation depth they've added this offseason. Even with Javier Assad on the IL to open the season, the Cubs have a handful of veterans capable of stepping into the rotation if needed. Ben Brown will get the first crack at being the team's fifth starter but veteran Colin Rea could be an option after opening the season as the team's swing-man in the bullpen. Jordan Wicks and Cade Horton, both expected to open the season with Triple-A Iowa, also figure to make cameos in the Major League rotation at some point this season.