Yankees Make Roster Decision Amid Aaron Judge Injury Update

Jones, 25, earned his first call-up on May 8 after Jasson Domínguez sustained a low-grade left AC joint sprain. The 6-foot-7 lefty slugger spent two weeks with New York, slashing .167/.259/.167 with two RBIs over 27 plate appearances before being optioned.

A former first-round pick, Jones has showcased well-above-average raw power in the minor leagues but has also struggled to make consistent contact. He hit 35 home runs in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season while posting alarming strikeout (35%) and whiff (42%) rates. Those swing-and-miss issues caused him to drop a few spots in MLB Pipeline’s prospect rankings, falling to No. 6 in the Yankees’ farm system.

Through 43 Triple-A games this season, Jones is batting .269/.378/.571 with 13 home runs, 48 RBIs and 60 strikeouts. He moves better than most players his size, allowing him to spend most of his time in center field. However, with Trent Grisham currently manning that position for New York, Jones will likely see the bulk of his work in the outfield corners.

The Yankees announced Thursday that Judge will undergo reimaging after four to six weeks of rest and limited activity. Though Judge is expected to return at some point this season, New York will have a massive hole in its lineup for at least the next two months.

In the last three games without Judge, the Yankees scored a combined 10 runs while losing two of three to the Cleveland Guardians. They enter Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox with a 37-25 record, a half-game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.