Domínguez squeezed out, sent to Triple-A despite strong spring
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TAMPA, Fla. – An airtight Yankees outfield left no room for Jasson Domínguez to begin the season on the Opening Day roster, a scenario that the switch-hitting outfielder said he understood when he reported to camp.
“Like I said before Spring Training started,” Domínguez said recently, “I just go day by day, trying to do my job. At the end of the day, whatever decision comes out, I don’t control that. I just try to go day by day and see what happens.”
That call came before Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, when Domínguez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The 23-year-old did everything he could to force the issue, batting .325 (13-for-40) with two doubles, three homers, 10 RBIs and three stolen bases in 14 games.
Still, the Yankees’ offseason moves pointed toward a return to the Minors. Domínguez played sparingly in the second half last season, and he was limited to one pinch-hit plate appearance during the playoffs.
General manager Brian Cashman said earlier this spring that he “would concede it’s in [Domínguez’s] best interest to be getting everyday reps.”
That was tough to guarantee in the Bronx, especially once the Yankees extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to center fielder Trent Grisham in November.
There was talk that Domínguez might compete with Spencer Jones for reps in left field, but then Cody Bellinger re-signed with the club in January, a six-year deal worth $162.5 million.
Aaron Judge is coming off his third MVP season in the past four years, Giancarlo Stanton is set to begin the year in the designated hitter role and the Yanks are leaning toward carrying Randal Grichuk as a bench outfielder based upon his track record against left-handed pitching.
Even so, manager Aaron Boone has said he believes Domínguez will factor into the Major League picture this season. Domínguez slashed .257/.331/.388 with 10 homers, 47 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 123 games in 2025.
In additional roster moves, the Yankees optioned right-handers Kervin Castro and Yerry de los Santos to Triple-A. Catcher Ali Sánchez, catcher Payton Henry and outfielder Kenedy Corona were re-assigned to Minor League camp.