DETROIT -- The Tigers see JaCoby Jones as a difference-making defender in center field, evidenced by his 14 Defensive Runs Saved there since 2017. That impact has afforded a lot of patience with his struggles at the plate, where his impatience and big swing haven’t helped him.

Jones received a day off Saturday amid a 1-for-13, nine-strikeout stretch since his home run last Friday. He’s off to an 8-for-58 (.138) start to the season. The Tigers are hoping a tweak at the plate can help get him going.

“I think it’s going to work out for him,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He needs to put the ball in play more and use his speed.”

The change is designed to give him more of a fighting chance to do that. By simplifying his swing and eliminating some unnecessary movement, they’re hoping he can get to some pitches in the strike zone and make quality contact. Though his contact rate is up on pitches in the strike zone to a career-high 84 percent according to Statcast, his batting average on balls put in play has plummeted to a career-low .200, 79 points below his career rate.

His chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone remains steady.

“It’s still [about] recognizing the strike zone,” Gardenhire said. “He still chases a little bit.”

Jones’ average exit velocity and hard-hit rate both rank in the middle of the pack among Major League hitters this year. His expected batting average, however, ranks among the bottom two percent. He connected on a solid line drive with a 95.9 mph exit velocity in Friday’s 4-3 Tigers win, but Royals Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon ran it down in the gap.

Changing a swing is usually a project better tried in Spring Training, or in the Minor Leagues, but the Tigers don’t have that luxury. His presence in center field is too important, and his start at the plate is too slow to keep going. He’s still 26 years old with 712 Major League plate appearances on his resume, but the Tigers need to get him going. The Phillies intentionally walked Jordy Mercer on Wednesday and loaded the bases to face Jones, who struck out swinging on an Aaron Nola offspeed pitch inside.

With center-field prospect Daz Cameron off to a slow start at Triple-A Toledo, batting just .194 through Friday, Jones has time to work on his swing in the big leagues. At some point, however, the Tigers will have to make a decision on their long-term future for center. Jones’ defense is a massive asset in spacious Comerica Park and makes the job easier on corner outfielders, but he still has to provide some offense to balance out.

Jimenez finding his way back

Joe Jimenez is back thriving in the eighth inning as the Tigers’ setup man after posting his fourth perfect inning in as many outings. His lone hit allowed since April 25 was Tim Anderson’s walkoff home run during his second inning in Chicago last Friday.

A mechanical tweak made in mid-April put Jimenez on a more direct delivery to home plate.

“You can tell he’s confident now,” Gardenhire said after Jimenez's perfect eighth inning Friday. “He’s confident making his pitches. He’s not jumping too awful hard at the plate, and he’s trusting his arm and his stuff. That’s big for us. He’s a stud. We need him for that eighth inning, and he’s doing a nice job.”

Now that Jimenez is back going, Gardenhire’s challenge is to make sure he doesn’t wear down like last season.

News and notes

Blaine Hardy threw a bullpen session Saturday, his second this week, as he tries to work his way back from the forearm strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list April 23. If all goes well, he should be able to begin a Minor League rehab assignment next week.

Look for at least a few more rehab games for Christin Stewart before he rejoins the Tigers lineup. The slugging left fielder fell a triple shy of the cycle in a three-game hit for Class A Advanced Lakeland Friday night, but he served as the designated hitter rather than playing in the outfield. The latter will be his next step.