NEW YORK — Spencer Jones had one of his better nights as a major leaguer on Friday. It came with a moment he wishes he could take back.
The 25-year-old Yankees outfielder singled twice in his first Subway Series start, drove in a run and showed real plate discipline in a 5-2 Yankees win over the Mets at Citi Field.
But a 111-mph line drive off his bat in the fourth inning became the defining moment of his night. It struck Mets starter Clay Holmes in the right leg. Post-game X-rays confirmed a fractured fibula. Holmes will miss an extended period.
Jones did not know about the injury until after the game.
Jones delivers in his first Subway Series game
Jones made his MLB debut May 8 in Milwaukee, facing right-hander Jacob Misiorowski in his very first big league at-bat. He reflected on how tough that introduction was.
“That first day was eye-opening,” Jones said. “To face a guy with one of the best fastballs in Major League Baseball the first time I got into the batter’s box was tough. I saw he was pitching and told myself, ‘Get ready for the fastball.'”
He then faced sidearming lefty Kyle Harrison of the Brewers in his second outing. Boone acknowledged both early assignments were brutal.
“Those first two draws were tough,” Boone said.
Jones picked up his first hit Sunday. He entered Friday at 1-for-12 across five games. On Friday he singled twice and helped build a 4-0 Yankees lead. When asked what clicked, he was direct.
“I felt good about the at-bats [and had] a good plan,” Jones said.
Boone had been watching Jones closely during the rough stretch. The Yankees manager offered a more detailed read of the rookie’s at-bats than the box score suggested.
“I feel if you watch his at-bats every day, they’ve been competitive,” Boone said. “He’s not chasing a lot. He’s been on some pitches and just missed a handful of pitches. I think he’s looked OK. He just hasn’t gotten results yet.”
The fourth-inning comebacker that fractured Holmes’ fibula
This is the moment that changed the tone of the Yankees rookie’s night.
In the fourth inning, the Yankees had the bases loaded when Jones came to the plate against Holmes and two outs. He went down and lined a 2-2 sinker back up the middle at 111.1 mph. The ball struck Holmes in the leg and ricocheted into foul territory.
Holmes stayed in the game and escaped the inning. He came back for the fifth before being removed. Jazz Chisholm worked a one-out walk and Holmes reached 95 pitches. X-rays after the game confirmed a fractured right fibula.
Jones learned about the injury from reporters in the Yankees clubhouse after the final out. It was the last thing the Yankees rookie expected to hear.
“I didn’t know that. That’s the first I heard of that,” Jones said. “I’m sorry. He’s a friend of mine, we work in Nashville together. It’s tough to hear.”
Jones was visibly affected. He had not realized what the comebacker had done. He spoke about Holmes continuing to pitch after taking that hit, and what it said about the pitcher’s character.
“He’s a tough guy. Workhorse competitor as well,” Jones said. “Says a lot about who he is to go back out there again the next inning with a broken leg. It’s incredible.”
Holmes had entered Friday with a 1.86 ERA in eight starts and had allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last 10 starts dating to September 2025.
Jones on learning the ropes from Yankees veterans
Jones is navigating his first Yankees stretch. He was called up to replace Jasson Dominguez and turned 25 on Thursday. He has been soaking up what the Yankees’ veteran hitters can teach him.
“The biggest thing for me is being comfortable in doing what I do and knowing that will translate,” Jones said. “I’m picking the brain of these guys and just grateful for the opportunity. And I’m learning that everybody here is really good and here for a reason.”
He named Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger as the Yankees veterans he leans on most. Jones has standout power but a high strikeout rate. Friday suggested the gap between prospect and contributor may be narrowing.
“I’ve gotten a lot of reassurances,” Jones said.
The Yankees improved to 28-17 with the win. The Yankees and Mets play again Saturday at Citi Field, where Jones will look to keep building on the progress he showed Friday night.
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