Jahmai Jones homers before early exit versus Rays

Jones will make his Red Sox debut, weather permitting, against Tampa Bay lefty Ian Seymour after being acquired from the Tigers in a trade earlier this week. The 28-year-old has had success in a lefty-mashing platoon role in previous years, so Boston’s front office is rolling the dice that a change of scenery does the trick. It’ll be Jarren Duran on the bench to open this one as the Red Sox try for their 12th consecutive victory.

Jones, 28, was great in his platoon role for the Tigers last season, hitting .287/.387/.550 with seven homers in 150 plate appearances. However, he was all of the way down to .137/.219/.221 in 105 plate appearances this year before losing his spot last week. Like the Tigers did, the Red Sox figure to use him exclusively against lefties, mostly in left field and at DH. He probably isn’t more than a desperation option at second base these days.

Jones has struggled mightily this year, but it’s possible he’ll go back to being useful against lefties. He’s out of options, so he’ll go on the major league roster and probably take Nate Eaton’s spot on Boston’s bench.

Jones has been shockingly bad for the Tigers this year, hitting .137/.219/.221 in 105 plate appearances, including .154/.250/.256 against left-handers. He hit .288/.393/.577 against lefties last year in 122 plate appearances. Still just 28, it’s possible he gets claimed off waivers.

As is often the case, Carpenter and Colt Keith find themselves starting on the bench against an opposing left-hander, in this case it’s MacKenzie Gore taking the hill for the Rangers. Jahmai Jones will start in his place in left field and will bat third for the Tigers on Friday evening in Motown.

Carpenter will take a seat with left-hander Ranger Suarez toeing the slab for the Red Sox. Jahmai Jones will function as the team’s designated hitter and will bat third for the Tigers on Friday night.

With Kris Bubic on the mound, the Tigers will again sit Keith, move Kevin McGonigle to third base, and let Javier Baez play shortstop. Keith did struggle in limited at-bats versus lefties last year, but over 135 plate appearances in his career, Keith is slashing .254/.304/.302 against lefties with a 26 percent strikeout rate. Unfortunately for him, Baez, Wenceel Perez, and Matt Vierling all have much more success versus lefties. The only hope for Keith would be that he could steal playing time from Jahmai Jones, who has slahed .251/.342/.485 against lefties in 190 career plate appearances. Maybe the Tigers would allow their former top 25 overall prospect more at-bats at the expense of a journeyman bench bat.

It’s a tough break for Jones since he likely would’ve been in the lineup to face Royals southpaw Cole Ragans. The 28-year-old utility specialist should be ready to go once he’s feeling better later this week.

McGonigle’s ability to generate consistent hard contact in tandem with elite contact skills at such a young age makes it strangely difficult to imagine a future where he isn’t an impactful fantasy contributor. That future might become reality in a few weeks on Opening Day. The 21-year-old prodigy’s path to a spot on Detroit’s season-opening roster got easier with Trey Sweeney sidelined with a shoulder injury and leaves super utility specialist Zach McKinstry as the lone obstacle in his way. A strong performance in Grapefruit League exhibition contests would make it extremely challenging for the Tigers to ship him back to the minors. He’ll be a popular sleeper candidate in all fantasy drafts this spring, especially if he starts making some noise at the dish. Here is the full lineup: Jahmai Jones (RF), McGonigle (SS), Gleyber Torres (2B), Colt Keith (3B), Jake Rogers (DH), Jace Jung (1B), Trei Cruz (CF), Eduardo Valencia (C) and Corey Julks (LF).

Jones led off the game with a single off of Connelly Early, but he never advanced past first base. He then strolled to the dish with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth inning and he lined a two-run single into left field that put the Tigers ahead 2-1 and proved to be the difference in the ballgame. He has been an integral part of the Tigers’ lineup against southpaws in the second half of the season and is slashing a healthy .287/.357/.550 with seven long balls and 23 RBI in 150 plate appearances on the season.