The Detroit Tigers have decided to promote infielder/outfielder Jahmai Jones, according to reports from Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. This move comes in conjunction with the decision to option infielder Andy Ibáñez to Triple-A Toledo.
Jahmai Jones, 27, initially signed a minor league contract with the Tigers during the offseason. He has demonstrated impressive performance at Triple-A Toledo, boasting a batting line of .276/.392/.482 along with a 139 wRC+. His success has been bolstered by a .345 batting average on balls in play, six home runs, and a notable walk rate of 11.7%, all while maintaining a reasonable strikeout rate of 22.4%. Furthermore, he has displayed versatility on the field, having played all three outfield positions and second base, while also swiping eight bases this season.
Despite his strong minor league stats—.263/.382/.453 with a 122 wRC+ since 2021—Jones has faced challenges translating this success to the major leagues. He has recorded a disappointing .198/.257/.278 line and a 50 wRC+ across just 137 plate appearances in the big leagues since 2020. However, the Tigers may view him as a potential platoon player, particularly given his solid .304/.360/.565 performance against left-handed pitching, despite his struggles overall in the majors.
As part of this roster shake-up, Ibáñez, who has experienced declining offensive production, is headed to Triple-A. After being claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers, he had a solid 2023 season but has seen his performance dip this season, currently sitting at .213/.292/.319 with a 77 wRC+. If he spends 20 days on optional assignment in Toledo, he will exhaust his final option year and will not have options available going into the next season.
This move represents a chance for both players to recalibrate. For Jones, it’s an opportunity to prove himself at the major league level after previously struggling, while Ibáñez will look to regain his form in the minors. The Tigers are making strategic adjustments to their roster in hopes of improving their performance as the season progresses, which adds an element of optimism for fans looking for signs of growth within the team.