How does 'The Martian' fit into Yankees' plans for 2026?

TAMPA, Fla. -- When Jasson Domínguez homered on his first swing in a Yankees uniform, taking Justin Verlander deep into the Crawford Boxes back in September 2023, it looked like the start of a lengthy stay in the big leagues.

That may still be the case, but entering this spring, “The Martian’s” immediate future is less certain.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman suggested Friday that, given the club’s crowded outfield, Domínguez could be better served opening the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“I would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps,” Cashman said. “Down here in this controlled atmosphere [at Spring Training], we’ll be able to do that with all of these guys.

“ … There’s flexibility in the roster, with a lot of players that we can do a lot of different things with, whether they’re going north with us or going to Triple-A. We’ll have to wait and see.”

The comments touch upon an internal debate from last season, when Domínguez’s playing time grew scarce -- a direct result of Trent Grisham’s offensive emergence.

With Aaron Judge on his way to a third American League MVP Award and Cody Bellinger enjoying a bounce-back showing that earned him a new five-year, $162.5 million deal, Domínguez was largely pushed into a reserve role while the team fought for a playoff spot.

“There was a definitive role [for Domínguez],” Cashman said. “Ultimately, Grish came out of nowhere last year and had an All-Star-caliber season. He took control of one of those everyday spots with Judge and Belli, which kind of reduced Jasson to a role player, even as a young player.

“We had an internal decision to make in-season last year. There were still lanes for him to contribute with us -- coming off the bench and pinch-running.”

With most of that roster returning in 2025, the Yankees must weigh if a similar assignment would stall the 23-year-old’s development.

Domínguez played winter ball following the Bombers’ playoff exit, seeking additional reps in left field and against left-handed pitching, an area in which the switch-hitter has struggled. He has batted .186 (22-for-118) with one home run and nine RBIs against big league lefties.

Also potentially displaced is Spencer Jones, who turns 25 in May and had been projected to challenge Domínguez for the starting left-field job before Bellinger signed in January.

“He probably would be taking an everyday spot and trying to establish himself at the big league level with some other organizations,” Cashman said of Jones. “He’s currently blocked, with us, on the depth chart. In theory, I have him behind Domínguez going in, because Domínguez has more experience. But that’s not going to stop him in competition.”

Domínguez’s 2023 callup was cut short after eight games by Tommy John surgery. He played in just 18 big league games in 2024, most of them in September.

Across 123 games last season, he slashed .257/.331/.388 with 18 doubles, 10 homers, 47 RBIs and 23 stolen bases, making all of his defensive appearances in left field.

Just as Grisham’s 2025 emergence changed the Yankees’ plans for Domínguez, seven weeks of Spring Training could reshape the picture again.

“We have to play the spring out and see where it takes us,” Cashman said. “He’ll get his reps along with everybody else, and clearly, we’ll have to make some decisions at the end of camp. Sometimes those decisions get made for us when injuries occur. I guess we’ll wait and see how the spring plays out and do what’s best for us when it’s time to set the roster.”