Detroit Tigers: JaCoby Jones returns, Anibal Sanchez to disabled list

Detroit Tigers outfielder JaCoby Jones is back with the team after a stint in the minors. He replaces pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who was placed on the disabled list.

Detroit Tigers fans will see a familiar face return to the team as JaCoby Jones makes his return to the Majors.

The outfielder, who opened the season with the team as the Opening Day center fielder, has spent most of 2017 in Toledo after initially struggling.

Jones previously appeared in 22 games for the Tigers, logging 57 plate appearances. He hit .137 with a .228 on-base percentage, a .255 slugging percentage and a .483 OPS.

He also collected four RBI, four runs scored, three extra-base hits and a stolen base.

The Tigers announced the move to bring Jones back and put Sanchez on the disabled list in a tweet on the team’s official Twitter account on Friday afternoon.

Detroit tweeted the following:

"“The #Tigers have placed RHP Anibal Sanchez on the 10-day DL with a left hamstring strain and recalled OF JaCoby Jones from Triple-A Toledo.”"

JaCoby Jones

On the season, Jones owns a 28 wRC+, a .219 wOBA and a .118 ISO. He continued to show problems with strikeouts, punching out in 45.6 of his plate appearances.

Despite the struggles, the former Pittsburgh farmhand showed well on the base paths (0.3 BsR) and in center field (28.8 UZR/150, 4 DRS, 1.2 ARM).

Even if he can’t turn things around at the plate this season, Jones should give Detroit a plus pinch runner or defensive substitute to use late in games.

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That being said, the outfielder has shown well in the minors as of late with Toledo. The 25-year-old hit .324 with seven runs scored, three RBI and a home run in his last 10 games.

Overall, he’s cut down his strikeouts in general in the minors, logging a 26.5 strikeout percentage in 388 plate appearances for the Mud Hens.

That certainly isn’t anywhere Ian Kinsler’s team-low 11.5 strikeout percentage in the Majors, but it is a step in the right direction for Jones.

Anibal Sanchez

Heading to the disabled list as part of the transaction is Anibal Sanchez.

The veteran right-hander has struggled for the majority of the season this year. Sanchez owns a -0.5 WAR to go along with a 6.95 ERA, a 6.20 FIP and a 4.77 xFIP.

He’s also allowed 2.67 home runs and 2.43 walks per nine innings to go along with 7.88 punch outs per nine frames. Additionally, Sanchez has made 11 starts in 22 outings this year.

Next: How Tigers should fill last 40-man roster spot

Moving forward, the Detroit Tigers could replace Sanchez in the rotation with a number of hurlers, including Buck Farmer, Drew VerHagen, Chad Bell, Warwick Saupold or, prospect and current member of the 40-man roster, Myles Jaye.