While the Detroit Tigers were walking out of Comerica Park on Sunday afternoon, JaCoby Jones was walking in.
Jones, the Tigers’ center fielder, was returning to the stadium after receiving an MRI scan on his right groin. He walked slowly, foreshadowing Monday afternoon’s roster move: Jones is headed to the 10-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.
Jones was injured on Mitch Garver’s third-inning triple, a smash to center field that he laid out for but could not catch. The next inning, he was visibly affected by the injury, trying to stretch his muscles between pitches. Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire removed him from the game shortly thereafter.
Jones, 26, is hitting .202 in 103 games this season. He has excelled defensively but remains a liability at the plate, despite having the ability to change the game with his athleticism.
To take Jones’ spot on the active roster, the Tigers recalled Mikie Mahtook from Triple-A Toledo. In 72 games with the Mud Hens, Mahtook is hitting .251 with 11 home runs.
With Jones on the DL, the Tigers will now turn to Mike Gerber in center field on a daily basis, with appearances by Victor Reyes sprinkled in.
Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.
