Tigers promote Mud Hens' Joyce; designate Jones for assignment

5/5/2008

Mud Hens outfielder Matt Joyce was promoted today to the Tigers, who in turn designated Jacque Jones for assignment.

Joyce, 23, will start in right field and bat seventh tonight when Detroit hosts the Boston Red Sox. He was batting .299 for the Hens with five homers, 21 RBIs, and 17 runs scored in 28 games, and hit .389 in his last 10 games in Toledo.

Tonight will be Joyce's major league debut. Jones was told of the Tigers' decision earlier today. Acquired in a trade with the Cubs for Omar Infante last November, Jones scuffled in Detroit, batting .165 with a homer and five RBIs

The Tigers have 10 days to trade, release, or place Jones on waivers.

Also, Gary Sheffield will play left field and bat sixth for the first time this year. Sheffield, struggling with a .185 average and just two homers, entered the season as the Tigers' designated hitter.