MILWAUKEE — Spencer Jones’ first series as a big leaguer is in the books, but not before collecting his first hit.
The Yankees’ top prospect did away with that on Sunday, in the third major league game, smoking an RBI single off Brewers shortstop Logan Henderson in the second inning of a 4-3 loss at American Family Field.
Henderson threw a first-pitch slider and Jones jumped on it, pulling it at 106.4 mph to score José Caballero at second for a 2-0 lead.
The highlight came on Mother’s Day, when Jones’ mother and family sat next to the Yankees dugout, as they did all weekend, including his MLB debut Friday night.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Jones, who had the ball in a case sitting in his locker after the game. “I’m glad my family was there to share that with me. My teammates are supporting me, congratulations. I’m glad I got it for the boys. It was a special moment.”
Jones’ new teammates were just as excited.
“Delighted,” said Aaron Judge, who was impressed with how “composed” Jones was throughout the series. Everyone was expecting it. He is just happy that his family can be here for him.
Jones finished the game 1-for-4 with a hit and the series 1-for-9 with five strikeouts and a walk, getting a tough test from a challenging Brewers pitching staff that shut down most of the Yankees all weekend.
“As the days went by, I settled down and started to relax, I did what I could do,” said Jones. “I think going forward, it’s going to be in a good place.”
The 24-year-old (who turns 25 on Thursday) started in right field on Sunday, when Judge got a DH day, after starting on Saturday in the middle and DH on Friday.
“I thought he had some good at-bats,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought he had changed, I can see the place. I don’t think he was in too much of a hurry, but he also faced some difficult obstacles there for him.”
Cam Schlittler was “still very sore” Sunday morning, Boone said, the day after he took a 108.5 mph comebacker to his left calf in the first inning of a six-inning gem.
The right-hander, who had a tight ball and ball contusion in his calf Saturday night, was expected to receive treatment for it in the coming days before his next start Friday against the Mets.
“I hope not, but I don’t know,” Boone said when asked if his next start would be a problem. “I’m sure he’ll be working overtime with the coaches and trying to finish this week.”
Gerrit Cole made his fifth rehab start Sunday with Double-A Somerset, throwing 77 pitches in five innings while striking out eight, walking one and giving up two earned runs.
He is expected to need at least one or two more starts before he joins the Yankees.
To make room for Carlos Rodón on the active roster, the Yankees elected to release Kervin Castro back to Triple-A.
