Jahmai

Jones

It’s not known if there’s an invite to spring training, but there’s a good chance he’ll be there as a non-roster invite. Jones was last with the Yankees, and the 27-year-old appeared in 33 games with a .238 average with New York in 2024. He’ll likely compete for a utility spot with the Tigers in the Grapefruit League.

Jones was designated for assignment earlier this week to make room on the roster for the return of veteran slugger Giancarlo Stanton. The versatile 26-year-old hit .238 with one home run and four RBI in 33 games with the Yankees.

The Yankees were facing a roster crunch with the addition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. over the weekend and the return of Giancarlo Stanton on Monday, so the versatile 26-year-old was squeezed off of the club’s roster. Jones hit just .238/.304/.381 with one homer, four RBI and one stolen base in 47 plate appearances with the Bombers. He could draw some attention on waivers.

Rice will take a seat after going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts during Monday’s contest against the Rays. The 25-year-old first baseman is mired in a 4-for-44 tailspin that includes a staggering 21 punchouts since his three-homer explosion against the Red Sox back on July 6. It’ll be Jahmai Jones leading off on Tuesday night against Mets veteran southpaw Jose Quintana.

The Yankees’ offense was held to just one run and three hits in this one as Chris Sale and the Braves’ bullpen shut them down. Jones was the lone bright spot in just his fourth start of the season. It’s unlikely he earns a legitimate role but could get a handful more spot starts as long as Gleyber Torres remains out with a groin injury.

While Verdugo started each of the team’s last two games against left-handed starters, he’ll get a breather with tough southpaw Chris Sale taking the hill for the Braves on Friday night. Verdugo is enjoying a solid season for the Bombers’, slashing .254/.309/.413 with nine homers and 41 RBI through his first 74 ballgames. Jahmai Jones will start in his place in left field and bat fifth for the Yankees on Friday evening in the Bronx.

Verdugo has gone hitless over the last four games and has hit just .171 in the month of May. He’ll get a day off with Jahmai Jones getting the start in left field and hitting ninth. Oswaldo Cabrera is also out of the lineup Sunday with Jon Berti getting a start at third in Cabrera’s absence.

It’s a routine off day for Torres and Stanton with Tampa Bay ace Zach Eflin on the mound at Yankee Stadium. Aaron Judge will take a turn at designated hitter and Jahmai Jones is making his first start of the season. It’ll be Trent Grisham patrolling center field in this one.

Barring an outside acquisition, Jones has a shot of making the Yankees, though it hurts his case that he’s not someone who can serve as a backup shortstop. The 26-year-old has had a fine spring offensively, batting .280/.419/.480 in 31 plate appearances.

Peraza will be out until at least mid-April, which opens the door for utility specialist Jahmai Jones, or someone else entirely, to make New York’s season-opening roster. The 23-year-old infielder underwent an MRI earlier this week to determine the severity of the issue after experiencing right shoulder soreness throughout the spring.