DETROIT, MI – JULY 30: JaCoby Jones #21 of the Detroit Tigers bats during the game against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park on July 30, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Royals defeated the Tigers 5-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Tigers outfielder JaCoby Jones suffered a fractured hand after being hit by a pitch
JaCoby Jones might have the worst luck in baseball.
In the midst of a standout campaign for the Tigers, the outfielder was struck by a pitch on his left hand, resulting in a fracture that is likely to end his season.
That statement may prompt a bit of deja vu. Jones had an almost identical injury in 2019. He was hit by a pitch and suffered a fractured wrist which did indeed end his season.
This year’s injury came in the eighth inning against Milwaukee. The Tigers led 6-1 when Jones came to the plate to face rookie pitcher Phil Bickford. His first pitch found Jones’ hand instead of the catcher’s glove. Bickford’s second pitch also hit a Detroit batter, this time Jorge Bonifacio.
JaCoby Jones’ injury will put a damper on the Tigers’ September run
The timing of Jones’ injury is just as unfortunate as the familiarity of it all. The Tigers bested the Brewers 12-1 to improve their record to 17-16. They moved within a half-game of a wild card spot thanks to their sixth win in a row.
Jones was going to be a major figure in any potential run for the playoffs.
Before the game, he’d even mused on the importance of the coming month.
“This month is gonna be huge. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. Every pitch counts. Every pitch matters. So I’m excited for it. I’ve been waiting on that my whole career,” Jones said as quoted by Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic.
Unfortunately, one pitch did matter more than the rest. The one that hit his hand will have the final say on his campaign.
In 29 games this season, Jones was batting .274 with an on-base percentage of .327 and a slugging percentage of .526. He had 26 hits, 14 RBI and five home runs.