NEW YORK — The New York Yankees referred to as up high prospect Jasson Domínguez forward of Monday’s collection opener towards the Kansas Metropolis Royals, a transfer that appeared inevitable as soon as rosters had been expanded in the beginning of the month.
Domínguez, 21, performed middle subject and batted sixth within the Yankees’ 10-4 win Monday. He went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and run scored in his first recreation at Yankee Stadium in precisely a yr. Supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned he’ll play “so much” because the Yankees proceed battling the Baltimore Orioles for the American League East title with 18 video games remaining.
“This can be a dream,” Dominguez mentioned earlier than the sport. “Since I began taking part in, I needed to play within the massive leagues, and now I am right here once more and it is thrilling and I am comfortable [about] it.”
The Yankees’ resolution to not promote the switch-hitter often known as “The Martian” on Sept. 1, when groups had been first allowed to subject 28-man rosters, was shocking. A swath of the fan base reacted with furor. Domínguez was producing at a excessive degree at Triple-A, whereas Alex Verdugo, the Yankees’ on a regular basis left fielder, was one of many worst on a regular basis gamers within the majors because the center of June. Why not give Domínguez an opportunity?
Boone provided two major causes: First, accidents — a late begin to the season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure final September and an indirect pressure in June — disjointed Domínguez’s season and restricted his recreation motion in 2024. Second, the Yankees would solely deliver up Domínguez to play day by day and Yankees decision-makers needed to offer Verdugo, a 28-year-old veteran with postseason expertise, extra time to rebound.
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On Friday, normal supervisor Brian Cashman informed reporters in Chicago that Verdugo gave the staff “one of the best probability to win.”
Three days later, after taking two of three video games from the Cubs however scoring simply six runs, the Yankees had been again residence, Domínguez had a locker of their clubhouse and Verdugo, an impending free agent, was successfully relegated to a part-time position. What modified?
“I do not find out about change aside from, look, the roster is a residing, respiration organism day by day that is at all times type of evolving and also you’re at all times paying consideration,” Boone mentioned. “And like I mentioned on Sept. 1, once we did not initially recall Jasson, he is within the dialog each single day. I feel as a lot as something, it is simply persevering with to construct the momentum he is constructed right here over the previous couple of weeks.”
Domínguez’s addition indicators much less taking part in time for Verdugo down the stretch, however Verdugo acquired the beginning in left subject Monday. He responded by going 2-for-4 with a two-run residence run out of the 9-hole, persevering with his latest stretch of improved play.
“He’ll come up right here, he’ll play, he’ll assist this staff win,” Verdugo mentioned of Domínguez after the sport. “No matter which means, which means, proper? If I lose a little bit little bit of taking part in time, I lose a little bit little bit of taking part in time. On the finish of the day, I need to win. Solely factor that issues is attending to the playoffs and profitable there.”
Requested whether or not somebody has communicated to him how his position will change, Verdugo mentioned he hadn’t heard from anybody.
“No, not but,” mentioned Verdugo, who’s batting .237 with 12 residence runs and a .659 OPS this season. “However I am certain we’ll discover out shortly.”
Domínguez’s return to the Bronx got here a yr after he supplied a dose of electrical energy as a September call-up for a membership on its solution to a disappointing 82-win season with out a playoff look. Domínguez homered in his debut and hit three extra residence runs over the following seven video games. However his season was lower brief when he was identified with a torn UCL in his proper elbow. He underwent Tommy John surgical procedure quickly thereafter, which pushed his 2024 debut again to mid-Might.
Domínguez reached Triple-A Wilkes/Barre in June, showing in 9 video games earlier than struggling an indirect pressure that sidelined him for over a month. His solely main league motion this season earlier than Monday was because the Yankees’ twenty seventh man within the Little League Traditional towards the Detroit Tigers final month. He batted fifth and performed left subject, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts earlier than he was despatched again to the minors, the place he pummeled pitching.
Domínguez batted .347 with 4 residence runs and a .958 OPS in 18 video games after the cameo. General, he slashed .314./376/.504 with 11 residence runs in 58 video games throughout three minor league ranges this season, solidifying his place as a consensus top-10 prospect in baseball and a key piece to the Yankees’ future. That future began Monday.
“I have been an enormous fan ever since I met him,” Boone mentioned. “Simply love his make-up, his expertise. And he is earned this chance.”
The Yankees on Monday additionally activated infielder Jon Berti from the injured checklist, positioned infielder DJ LeMahieu on the injured checklist with a proper hip impingement and designated left-handed reliever Anthony Misiewicz for project.
Berti, a 34-year-old speedster acquired the day earlier than Opening Day, had been out since Might with a left calf pressure he aggravated in July whereas rehabbing. Boone mentioned LeMahieu has been coping with hip discomfort for “just a few weeks.” He added he is not certain whether or not LeMahieu, a two-time batting champion having the worst season of his profession, will play once more in 2024.