Jones went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Jones has struggled mightily to begin the season, as he entered Thursday's contest with only four hits in 31 plate appearances. However, he delivered his first multi-hit effort of the campaign, highlighted by a solo home run off Mitch Keller -- his first long ball of the season. Jones has been limited to a reserve role in the outfield due to the emergence of Akil Baddoo, and his playing time figures to dry up further once Nomar Mazara (abdomen) can return from the injured list.

Jones is starting in center field and batting ninth in Sunday's game against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Jones was out of the lineup Saturday but will return Sunday, sending Victor Reyes to the bench. It looks like Jones and Reyes will keep sharing time in the outfield, and Robbie Grossman, Nomar Mazara and Akil Baddoo will also be in the mix for playing time going forward, giving the Tigers a bit of a logjam.

Jones is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Jones started Friday and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, but the outfielder is now on the bench for the fourth time in eight games to begin the season, so he could be losing his grip on a regular role in a Detroit outfield that has gotten more crowded with the emergence of Akil Baddoo. Baddoo is in left for Saturday's contest with Victor Reyes in center and Nomar Mazara in right.

Jones is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones finds himself on the bench for the third time in six games to begin the season, with all of his absences from the lineup coming against right-handed starting pitchers. Manager A.J. Hinch appears to have prioritized Victor Reyes and Akil Baddoo in the lineup over Jones, who may be the Tigers' fourth or fifth outfielder at this point.

Jones is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

He'll take a seat for the second straight day with manager A.J. Hinch handing Rule 5 pick Akil Baddoo another start in center field after the 22-year-old delivered a solo home run in his first MLB at-bat in Sunday's loss to Cleveland. Jones still looks to be the Tigers' preferred option in center, but he could end up sitting a few times per week if Baddoo continues to capitalize on his future opportunities.

Jones is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

He'll give way to Victor Reyes, who picks up the start in center field in the series finale. Jones started in both of the Tigers' first two games of the season, going 2-for-7 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Jones went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Jones has been struggling this spring, as he's still batting just .185 even after the two-hit performance, but it was good to see the outfielder hit his second Grapefruit League home run. Jones batted leadoff in this one, though it remains to be seen whether that sticks into the regular season. Robbie Grossman and Willi Castro have been mentioned as other candidates for the top spot in the order.

Jones, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, is batting just .125 this spring with a .451 OPS.

EDGE Analysis

Jones is off to a sluggish start through seven games, though he should have the center field job locked down due to his strong defense and the career-best .848 OPS he posted last season. The 28-year-old did miss the final month of the 2020 campaign after fracturing his left hand, so that could be partly responsible for his slow start this spring.

Jones and the Tigers avoided arbitration by reaching a one-year, $2.65 million deal Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones missed the final month of the 2020 season after fracturing his hand, but his production significantly increased when he was on the field. Over 30 games, Jones had a career-best .848 OPS with five home runs and 14 RBI. He should be fully healthy heading into spring training.

The Tigers reinstated Jones (hand) from the 45-day injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Before fracturing his left hand Sept. 1 and requiring season-ending surgery just over a week later, Jones had been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers. While playing only 30 games, Jones hit .268 with five home runs, 19 runs, 14 RBI and a stolen base. The 28-year-old's poor plate discipline may relegate him to a spot near the bottom of the Detroit lineup in 2021, but his defense in center field should be good enough to lock him into an everyday role now that he's healthy again.