At 28, outfielder Jahmai Jones has been with seven major league organizations. It doesn’t seem like his latest destination is going to bother him.
On Tuesday, the Roswell, Ga., native was shipped from the Tigers to the Red Sox for a player to be named later. He grounded out in his home debut Friday, as an eighth-inning pinch hitter in the 5-3, Game 2 victory over the Rays.
Jones has struggled this season, hitting .135/.217/.219 across 58 games, but batted a career-best .287/.387/.550 just last year.
“I was really excited,” Jones said before Friday’s doubleheader, in which his new team ran its winning streak to 11 games. “Obviously I understand what kind of baseball they’ve been playing the last few weeks, the kind of history that’s been in the stadium. Watched a lot of Red Sox games. Ironically, I loved Boston growing up. Loved just everything about it.”
Get Starting Point
Jones was a second-round pick of the Angels in 2015, and he crossed paths with Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy there. He also spent time with the Orioles, Dodgers, Brewers, and Yankees before heading to Detroit.
The fresh start on a hot squad could be encouraging for the six-year veteran trying to get back on track.
“Just looking to get my feet wet here, get my rhythm going, and help this team,” he said.
Jones credited his success last season to an opportunity to play. After a good start in Triple-A, he earned a consistent role in the majors.
“This year, it’s just a little slower to start the season,” Jones said.
Jones was out of minor league options, so he was designated for assignment before the trade.
But Jones has shown he can perform in a platoon role. He batted .288 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs against lefthanded pitchers in 2025, and will look to do the same in Boston.
“I think you could see him DH some days. There could be days where you want to get [Jarren Duran] a breather against a lefty,” Tracy said. “You can put him out in left field, so any, either of those scenarios.”
The Sox cleared an outfield spot by sending Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester following the trade. Jones is on pace to play more games than last season, yet he’s played in the outfield just seven times.
For Jones to earn a true role, he’s going to have to return to form.
The Sox are hoping for that, and he’s had some success at Fenway Park. He hit a Garrett Crochet slider 423 feet for his first homer of the year on April 19. He registered at least one hit in each of the three games in that series, and went 3 for 6 at Fenway last season.
It’s a small sample size, but it doesn’t stop the pull hitter from feeling “great” about his new home.
“I think it plays into my strength and just trying to obviously not think about it too much,” Jones said, “but just continue to do my stuff and let it play out.”
Avery Hill can be reached at [email protected].
