Sunday: The Tigers have announced Jones’ IL placement and Rodriguez’s call-up.
Saturday: A CT scan has revealed a fracture in the left wrist of Tigers outfielder JaCoby Jones, per MLive’s Evan Woodberry (link). The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen adds that Manager Ron Gardenhire believes Jones will need about six weeks to recover, which makes a 2019 return doubtful (link). According to Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, the outfielder has been officially placed on the 10-day injured list (link). The team will recall Ronny Rodriguez from Triple-A Toledo to supplant Jones’ on the active roster (link).
Jones left Thursday night’s contest with the Royals after being struck on his wrist by a 95-mph fastball from KC starter Jorge Lopez. Initially, it was believed that Jones had only suffered a bruise, but imaging has apparently revealed a much more significant injury.
After a 1.2 WAR showing in 129 games with Detroit last year, 2019 marked Jones’ second opportunity at consistent big league playing time. Results have been mixed for the LSU product. Though he has shown improvement at the plate (92 wRC+ in 2019 vs. 70 wRC+ in 2018), defensive metrics have been somewhat unpleasantly surprised by his play on 2019 grass (-12.9 UZR in 2019, per Fangraphs).
Rodriguez will rejoin the team for whom he has provided 382 at-bats over the last two seasons. The 27-year-old infielder has logged a .218/.251/.387 batting line since debuting with Detroit in 2018, with appearances at every infield position except catcher.
Feel better
Tiger honks hail this guy’s spectacular defense.
Do the numbers lie? Or do the lying Tigers lie?
Nothing better than a 4th outfielder
I think that’s premature considering the way he was just starting to hit. I am willing to give him another year to see if he really figured something out or will he just be a a 4th outfielder. He’s a great defender & he can run & steal so he’s not devoid of skills.
He’s an okay defender with a tendency for falling asleep. Tigers will not winners if guys like him are regulars.
Jones is the best they have, which isn’t saying much. Stewart has been a dud. The new guy from the Cubs… Dederitte? He’s no better. Tigers need some 1 year free agents to give them some sign of an offense next year. Even if it’s Dyson and Melky… at least there would be some offense from the OF. Castellanos has left and that leaves zero..
Demiritte came from the Braves
Yep, thanks
EJ is right ..Jones is not a bad bench piece. But if hes in your starting outfield then you’re not a team that’s contending for a title
I agree but every team has those questionable role fillers that just do enough. Alcides Escobar for the Royals, Brock Holt for the Red Sox, Jake Marisnick for the Astros. None are special players and you don’t want a roster full of them but they did enough to help their teams win.
In 2018 his 21 DRS was #1 in the MLB for OF, his 12.3 UZR was #2, and his 14.8 UZR/150 was #3. Last year that Tigers had 30 runs saved using the shift, per Fangraphs. This year they are only +6 and were negative earlier in the year. Jones has been burned this year by this poor shift execution. He has 3 more errors this year and 4 fewer assists but positioning has been the primary culprit. He’s always been a very, very good OF. Until recently he looked to be an all glove no stick player. Wasn’t until May 16th that got his avg above the Mendoza line.
There’s no help now but, I’m watching Reece Hampton in A . He looks like a high range CF. He’s not a power hitter but hopefully can eventually hit some.
Riley Greene and Parker Meadows are probably 3 years away. Daz Cameron needs to make some improvement soon or he’ll be stranded at AAA. Jake Robson and Bryant Packard might become something in the near future. In fact, they should have skipped Rodriguez and called up Robson. He’s a CF and having a decent year.
Scouting reports say Robson has no power, but I saw him launch hit 8th HR of the year at Toledo tonight after 11 last year. Good speed and D.
With the pitching coming up and a large home OF, the Tigers need a high range defense-first CF. Power is not the primary need.
I can’t tell if Jacob Robson is a good defender. Daz Cameron looked near ready but has significantly regressed in every aspect of his game.
I agree that Rodriguez is a known non future player 4A at best. I am more puzzled why they haven’t called up Derek Hill. He’s been in the organization 7 years, has MLB defense & a bat that’s finally decent. He’s a Jones clone 4 years younger & deserves a shot before Rodriguez. He’s a minor league FA if not added to the 40 man roster next year.
As much as the Tigers have invested in Hill, he better not walk away. The Tigers have at least 10 players on their 40 man roster that could pass through waivers.
Jones can look like a gold glover one day and then be completely lost out there other times.
Jones is still somewhat learning the position. He was a 2B at LSU, and even played some 3B/SS, not the OF.
When he came up with the Tigers, he was a 3B. I remember that.
Ronny is killing it in AAA. Hope he can figure out plate discipline!
Sorry, time to gooooooo…
Call up Daz Cameron and let him play out the season in CF. He needs to get his feet wet in the big leagues and then build on it..
AAA may not be his forte.
AA he was killing it.
Many players go directly from AA to MLB,
Worth a Try..
Cameron has no plate discipline. If AAA pitchers know how to strike him out, imagine how easy it would be for an MLB pitcher. He’s just 22 and arrived at AAA at the age of 21. Work on it in Fall League, Spring Training, and see how he looks for making the roster in April or mid-season.
Daz has really improved his plate discipline in the last month just look at his walks they are up an insane amount. He is still striking out a lot but I get the feeling Daz is the type of player who will step up his game in the majors when the bright lights are on
Daz has been seen by scouts and others who played with his All Star Dad Mike Cameron…ioincluding Saltalamacchia.
They say Daz has the talent and potential to surpass his Dad in MLB.
Many players jump from AA to the majors.
It wouldn’t hurt to see him get his “cup of coffee” in MLB in Aug and Sept this year.
Then. prepare for a major role on the Tigers in 2020.
I am not seeing any OF better than him on the team right now including injured Jacoby.