Red Sox add outfielder in trade with Tigers

The Boston Red Sox completed a trade with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, acquiring outfielder/designated hitter Jahmai Jones in exchange for a player to be named later. The move adds another right-handed bat to Boston’s roster after the team had been seeking additional right-handed hitting. To create room on the active roster, the Red Sox optioned outfielder Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester.

Jones, 28, was designated for assignment by Detroit on July 9 after finding little success offensively during the 2026 season. In 57 games with the Tigers, he batted .137, collecting 13 hits in 95 at-bats with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs and 10 walks. Across 105 plate appearances, he compiled a .137/.219/.221 slash line while striking out 33.3% of the time and walking at a 9.5% rate. Although he received 88 of those plate appearances against left-handed pitching, he hit just .154/.250/.256 in those matchups.

Despite this year’s decline, Jones showed his potential during the 2025 season with Detroit. After joining the Tigers’ roster in June, he appeared in 72 games and hit .287 with 11 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 23 RBIs and 18 walks while producing a .937 OPS. He also recorded a .287/.387/.550 slash line and a 159 wRC+ over 150 plate appearances, primarily serving in the short side of a platoon against left-handed pitchers. Jones also appeared in four postseason games, finishing 1-for-2 with a double, one RBI and two walks.

Boston’s current outfield and designated hitter mix features left-handed hitters Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida. Jones gives the Red Sox another right-handed option who could be used in platoon situations against left-handed pitching. The organization already has right-handed bats such as Andruw Monasterio, Romy Gonzalez and Eaton, though Gonzalez has only recently returned from shoulder surgery and Eaton was unable to generate consistent offense during his major league opportunities this season.

Jones is out of minor league options, meaning he must remain on Boston’s active roster. The Red Sox had an opening on their 40-man roster after left-hander Danny Coulombe was designated for assignment earlier this week. Jones is expected to join Boston in time for Friday’s day-night doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Eaton, 29, heads back to Worcester after batting .125 (4-for-32) with one home run and five RBIs in 14 games with the Red Sox this season. At Triple-A Worcester, he has hit .283 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, a .348 on-base percentage and a .450 slugging percentage across 48 games.