AL DIVISION SERIES: YANKEES VS RAYS

October 3, 2026

Spencer Jones

Tropicana Field

New York Yankees

Pregame 1 Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Spencer, thanks for your time. We appreciate it.

Q. Hey, Spencer. How would you describe this team's mindset heading into this series?

SPENCER JONES: The team mindset is all hands on deck. We're here to compete. We trust each other, and we're going to leave it out on the field for these next few days and bring it back to New York.

Q. We talked about it after Game 2. You guys played really clean baseball in the Wild Card series and you were aggressive on the base pads. How do you make sure that happens again in this series?

SPENCER JONES: Yeah, I think the team takes pride in being aggressive and playing clean baseball and it's something we've talked about all year. And I think now for us nothing changes. We keep doing what we're doing, and it will put us in a good spot to win.

Q. Spencer, the other night, George Lombard was giving you some grief and joking about you guys being chill birds together. What has it been like to share this experience here and be in the postseason with George?

SPENCER JONES: George and I have known each other forever. This is what we were thinking about when we were playing in the Himes back fields together. And now to be here and to be part of the team and to help with some wins has been incredible for us.

But we know this is just the beginning of the postseason run and our careers. We're having a great time, but focused on what's ahead.

Q. Is he a chill bird? How would you describe him?

SPENCER JONES: Yeah, George qualifies as a chill bird.

Q. You haven't played at this ballpark before yesterday during the workout. What was it like tracking fly balls in the outfield? I know it's sometimes a challenge here.

SPENCER JONES: Yeah, yesterday was the first time running out around there and tracking some of the fly balls. I got a lot of good information from other guys who have played here, had experience. They're giving me some pointers.

Then I think my number one thing yesterday was just to shag batting practice, to see different flights, to see it from right field, from center field, and I think we're in a good spot to go today.

Q. What were some of the pointers that they said, the advice?

SPENCER JONES: Just to keep your eye on the ball. To practice on balls coming in, being able to pick the ball up, look at the infielders and pick it back up again. It's just a little different contrast, different shadows. And then, you know, some of the ball flight was a little bit deeper than you'd anticipate.

So just being able to keep your eyes on it and stay athletic all the way through it.

Q. Spencer, I know you guys have no control over it. What has it been like to see if Aaron Judge is going to be on the roster for either series? Kind of waiting to see what that decision is going to be like?

SPENCER JONES: Yeah, to be honest, I think our team's preparation is the same regardless. It would be a blessing to have Aaron. But at the same time, there's jobs ahead that we've got to -- or games ahead that we've got to win with or without him. I think we're set up, in a way, in a good position to win with the guys we've got.

Q. Obviously, he's not on the field with you guys, but what has he been able to add off the field? What's his message been to you guys?

SPENCER JONES: He's incredible off the field. He keeps everybody level headed in the moment. He's got good things to say about everybody, and he just wants to be part of it and wants us to enjoy it as much as possible. He's been an extremely positive force in the dugout, in the clubhouse, just keeping the guys together and making sure we're focused on the main goal.

Q. Just to follow up on that, what makes you think you guys can win even if he's out?

SPENCER JONES: I think there's a lot of belief with everybody in the room. I think there's no pressure on any individuals. It's all of us going out there together, and we know we can play good situational baseball, get guys on base, get them in, hit the long ball and our pitching staff has been doing their job all season long.

So I think we're just taking a lot of pride in doing the little things right now.

THE MODERATOR: Spencer, thanks so much for your time. Appreciate it.