Spencer Jones at center of outfield decisions Yankees face entering wild-card series

The only certainty, really, is Cody Bellinger 's presence in left field. But Spencer Jones has made a charge that gives him a strong argument to be 1) in center field and 2) in the middle of the lineup even against a strong lefty in Boston 's Payton Tolle .

Among the more impressive, and surprising, aspects of Jones' emergence is how he has done it: A mighty lefty slugger with a notorious whiffing problem in the minors has done the bulk of his major league damage against fellow lefties.

New York Yankees left fielder Jose Caballero (72), center fielder Spencer Jones (78) and right fielder Heliot Ramos (34) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect