Trent Grisham is not ready to accelerate his return from a strained right hamstring, despite recent improvements. Grisham stated prior to the Yankees' series opener against the Rockies that he is listening to his body and does not have a specific timeline for rejoining the team, with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season. This marks his second stint on the injured list for the same injury, having previously missed three weeks in mid-June. The outfielder expressed frustration with the setback, emphasizing his desire to be on the field after putting in significant work to recover.
With Grisham sidelined, manager Aaron Boone has continued to utilize Spencer Jones in center field. Cody Bellinger has also seen occasional time at the position, shifting from left field. Jasson Domínguez, who has experience in center, has struggled throughout the season both offensively and defensively, making Jones a consistent presence in the outfield.
An American League scout noted that Jones' development since his earlier call-up this year has been "eye-opening." However, the scout also pointed out that placing significant responsibility on a young player as the team prepares for the postseason, especially with another rookie, George Lombard Jr., at shortstop, presents a challenge.
The Yankees are currently in a tight race for the AL East lead and a top wild card spot. The team is scheduled to face five right-handed starters in their upcoming six-game stretch, which is expected to provide ample playing time for Jones. Entering Tuesday, Jones had an OPS of 1.031 over his previous 17 games, a mark that placed him among the top performers in that period. However, his performance also included 19 strikeouts in 60 plate appearances, raising questions about his ability to balance power hitting with strikeout numbers as he progresses through the Yankees' farm system.
As the Yankees look towards the postseason and await Grisham's availability, Jones' recent performance suggests he may be capable of meeting the offensive demands, despite the strikeouts.