HOUSTON — The Yankees’ Feb. 28 acquisition of Jahmai Jones didn’t receive much fanfare, but the backup appears to have earned a spot on the team’s bench.
That could change, as the club doesn’t have to make its Opening Day roster official until, well, Opening Day, which is Thursday in Houston. Still, Jones has made it thus far, positioning himself on a bench that also includes outfielder Trent Grisham and, depending on the day, some combination of Jose Trevino, Austin Wells, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti.
The Yankees acquired Berti from the Marlins on Wednesday, showing how fluid roster construction can be this time of year. Aaron Boone, speaking over Zoom afterward, said that the Yankees’ roster could be set, though he didn’t rule out more minor moves.
While nothing is set in stone, Jones found himself packing for Houston on the last day of spring training. He made a solid impression during his time in Yankees camp, hitting .286/.429/.500 with three doubles, one home run, four RBI, seven walks and eight strikeouts while showing he can play second base, left field and a little bit of third over 14 games.
“It’s exactly what I wanted,” Jones told the Daily News of his opportunity, which came after the Yankees claimed him off waivers from the Brewers. “I wanted a chance to provide and help a big league team win, and that’s, at the end of the day, what I want to do.
“So coming in here and being in this environment of guys wanting to win and learning from some of, in my opinion, the greatest players in baseball on this ballclub, it’s been nothing short of amazing. [I’m] just hoping I can continue my job to find my way to help the team win.”
For much of the spring, Jones’ inability to play shortstop seemed like a deterrent to his chances of making the team. However, Berti and Cabrera can do that. Jones, meanwhile, has been working at third, which could come in handy with DJ LeMahieu starting the season on the injured list.
“We’ve been working on it,” said Jones, who has only played second in the majors but has professional experience at third and in all three outfield spots. “They’re popping me all over. So whatever the team needs me to do, I’m there. If Boonie calls on me and says, ‘Hey, we need you to play third,’ I’m not going to hesitate. I’m gonna go out there and give 100% of my effort to help the team win and do my job that night.”
Jones, 26, was a second-round pick of the Angels in 2015. A former top-100 prospect with some speed, he’s hit just .179 over 36 MLB games for the Angels, Orioles and Brewers since debuting in 2020.
LATEST ON LEMAHIEU
Boone didn’t have a Wednesday progress report on LeMahieu (right foot bone bruise) after a light Tuesday for the infielder, who will start the season on the injured list. However, the skipper said LeMahieu is scheduled for more testing on Friday.
Brian Cashman recently said that LeMahieu was due for a second MRI this week.
“I hope so, but I don’t know. Because I wouldn’t say he got shut down,” Boone said when asked if this will be a short-term IL stint. “I know he went out for some ground balls that one day [and] it wasn’t great. Pain is still in there, so we want it to kind of be things that you’re able to tolerate. So whether that turns into hitting and fielding in a couple of days, I don’t know. But I know when he went out the other day and tried that, it wasn’t good enough.”
OPENING DAY DECISIONS & ROSTER MACHINATIONS
Boone also laid out some of his Opening Day plans on Wednesday.
Trevino will catch Nestor Cortes, while Gleyber Torres will serve as the Yankees’ leadoff man against the Astros. Boone added that Juan Soto will bat second in his Yankees debut.
“You can probably figure out the rest,” of the lineup, Boone said.
The manager added that with LeMahieu sidelined, Oswaldo Cabrera is Anthony Rizzo’s backup at first base. Asked if Aaron Judge could play there in a pinch, Boone replied, “I don’t plan on that, no, but baseball can be funny sometimes.”
COACH COLE
Boone said that Gerrit Cole (elbow inflammation) is with the team in Houston. The injured ace did some rehab work at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday, and Boone expects Cole to keep offering insights and opinions on the Yankees’ bench and during team meetings. That’s something he does when healthy, though.
“He is invested every day of the week, not just when he’s going to the mound,” Boone said.
EYES ON RECOVERY
Jorbit Vivas (left eye) and Oscar González (right eye) both suffered orbital fractures at the very end of spring training.
Boone had good news on the duo, as Vivas is resting comfortably in Tampa and will see an ophthalmologist on Thursday before visiting some other specialists on Friday. González, who suffered his injury during the Yankees’ trip to Mexico, is also resting after being discharged from a hospital down there.
Boone believed González will also see an ophthalmologist on Friday before hopefully flying back to Tampa this weekend. Neither player has a timetable for a return to action.
