DETROIT — Jahmai Jones’ last trip to Detroit saw the Los Angeles Angels minor leaguer — at the time — take in a Lions game as a spectator.
He was visiting to see his brother, former Lions wide receiver T.J. Jones, at Ford Field.
Some seven years later, Jones is following in the footsteps of his brother and his father — former Lions linebacker Andre Jones, who died in 2011 — with the chance to compete for the Detroit Tigers after his call-up Friday afternoon.
“Detroit’s got a special place in my heart just because of the family ties,” Jones told reporters ahead of [Friday’s series-opener against the Chicago Cubs](https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2025/06/tigers-lineup-javier-baez-starting-at-shortstop-on-friday-night.html). “Being able to do it myself and add to it is everything I could ask for.”
Jones was a near-miss for Detroit’s Opening Day roster after signing a minor-league deal with the Tigers during the offseason. In 52 games for Triple-A Toledo, Jones is slashing .276/.392/.482 with 29 RBI, six homers and eight steals.
He received the call early Friday morning that there was a short window to get him to Comerica Park, ready for the start of the series following the [option of infielder Andy Ibáñez](https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2025/06/tigers-option-veteran-utility-infielder-to-toledo-amid-prolonged-slump.html).
From a road trip in Columbus, Ohio to Detroit, Jones got in the car just in time to be in the clubhouse by 2:30 p.m. ahead of Friday night’s game.
The frantic packing and organizing didn’t bother Jones much. All that mattered was getting himself to the ballpark so he could begin contributing to a strong club.
Jones has stepped into a thriving team before, like he did last season with the New York Yankees where he played in 33 games and hit .238/.304/.381 before getting DFA’d upon Giancarlo Stanton’s return from the injured list.
“Approach every day like it’s the same,” Jones said. “They’re playing good ball, all I want to do is win. Whatever I can do, whatever my role is, I’ll fully embrace it. Just trying to mold into the locker room that’s already here.”
But after spending the past few months seeing Triple-A teammates come up to the club and fit in with manager A.J. Hinch’s chaos lineups, Jones knows to be ready for his name to get called at any moment.
“He uses everybody,” Jones said. “I talked to A.J. about it, we had a really good conversation. I’ll be ready whenever it comes and if it comes tonight: great. If not, whenever he calls I’ll be there.”
Jones offers a lot of versatility, having spent the start of his career as an infielder and focusing more on outfield last year. With as many moving parts as the Tigers have in their lineup, Jones will be asked to slot in across the outfield with the potential for infield play and even starts against left-handed pitchers.
“He can be electrifying because of the good decisions at the plate and the athlete he is — the ball off his bat can be explosive," Hinch said.
A lot has changed since Jones’ last time in Detroit. Even the last time he stepped foot on the field at Comerica Park, that was about a decade ago when he had a pre-draft workout with the Tigers.
The turnaround was so fast, Jones says his family won’t make it for the first game of the weekend series, but expects they’ll take to the stands in the near future.
Adding to a family legacy in Detroit, regardless of what his responsibilities look like for the Tigers, is meaningful for Jones.