The Detroit Tigers, on the edge of the current AL playoff picture with a 17-17 record and trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by 1.5 games, received a big blow on Wednesday after learning that starting outfielder JaCoby Jones will miss the rest of the season with a fractured left hand.
Jones was hit on the hand by a pitch in the eighth inning of the Tigers’ 12-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers and exited the game immediately. The team’s worst fears were confirmed on Wednesday after x-rays revealed that he had indeed suffered a fracture.
The 28-year-old outfielder has been one of the best and most consistent hitters in the Tigers’ lineup this season, which has exceeded expectations. The center fielder has hit .268 with a .333 on-base percentage, 5 home runs, and 14 RBI this season.
The team placed Jones on the 10-day injured list with his injury, but unless the Tigers were to make a deep playoff run, it will be impossible to return to the team before the season ends.
The Tigers recalled outfielder Derek Hill from their alternate training site to replace Jones on their roster, and he is expected to get many of the starts in center field that Jones would have made.
