OAKLAND -- The Tigers reinstated outfielder JaCoby Jones (lacerated lip) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Toledo. Manager Brad Ausmus announced the decision following Sunday's 8-6 loss to the A's.
The move means Jim Adduci has done enough to hold on to his roster spot for the time being. Since being promoted from Toledo on April 23 due to Jones' injury, the 31-year-old Adduci has batted .317 with seven RBIs in 12 contests. Jones got off to a slow start as Detroit's everyday center fielder to begin the year, batting .150 with 19 strikeouts in 40 at-bats before his injury.
"We just feel like for [Jones'] development, getting some at-bats on a regular basis, especially against right-handed pitchers might be good in the long haul," Ausmus said. "We'll miss his defense. He's our best defending center fielder."
Adduci has regularly manned right field while Tyler Collins has moved over to center, and Michael Mahtook has been limited to 10 at-bats across five games (two starts) since April 23. Adduci also spent the past two seasons as a center fielder playing in Korea, something noted by Ausmus.
Things are bound to get more complicated in the coming days with J.D. Martinez's pending return. The slugging right fielder -- with 60 homers, 170 RBIs and a .293 average the past two seasons combined -- is set to join Toledo on Monday for the start of a four-game set in Gwinnett. A return to Detroit might follow in the near future.
"If things progress the way we hope, we could see him this weekend," Ausmus said. "Assuming there's no setbacks or issues."
Justin Upton and Collins seem to be cemented in Detroit's outfield, meaning Mahtook and Adduci are the top candidates to be sent down to make room for Martinez once he's deemed healthy to play.