NEW YORK -- Jasson Domínguez will be on the injured list for at least “a few weeks” after an MRI revealed a low-grade sprain of his left AC joint, the result of his exceptional catch on the first play of Thursday’s 9-2 Yankees victory over the Rangers, manager Aaron Boone said.
Domínguez was driven off the field in a medical cart after crashing into the left-field fence, having taken a sharp route to secure Brandon Nimmo’s leadoff fly ball facing Yanks starter Paul Blackburn. Domínguez snared the drive before his back crashed into the chain-link covering on a digital scoreboard.
The Yankees said Domínguez was examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad at Yankee Stadium and underwent an initial concussion assessment, which was negative. He has been placed in concussion protocol and will continue to be monitored and evaluated over the next several days.
“That’s one of the unfortunate parts of the game,” Boone said. “It was an amazing catch. He obviously hit the wall pretty hard. Hopefully we’re in a good space, just head-wise. And then, hopefully this isn’t something that keeps him out too long.”
Spencer Jones -- the Yankees’ No. 6 prospect according to MLB Pipeline -- will be promoted to join the team for their series against the Brewers in Milwaukee, which is set to begin on Friday.
Jarred by the collision, Domínguez remained down for several moments, receiving attention from head athletic trainer Tim Lentych. The crowd cheered as Domínguez rose to his feet; he shook his head as he was guided toward the seat of the medical cart, which disappeared out a service gate in left-center field.
“He hit the wall really hard,” Cody Bellinger said. “I’m hoping for the best for him.”
The chain-link fence has been a topic of conversation among Yankees outfielders, according to infielder-outfielder Max Schuemann, who said it was one of the first things outfield coach Luis Rojas mentioned after Schuemann joined the team.
“It’s a very different type of wall versus a normal stadium,” Schuemann said. “It’s a weird play, for sure. We talked this week, just getting here to Yankee Stadium and getting used to the field.”
The current Yankee Stadium originally had manual auxiliary scoreboards in those spots, beginning in 2009. Their use was discontinued during the 2020 pandemic season; the digital replacements came with the chain-link fences to protect the screens, which were upgraded during the 2025-26 offseason.
Domínguez has worked extensively to improve his defense, with scouts seeing improvement this spring and early in the season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The injury came as Domínguez seemed to have an opportunity for extended playing time, with Giancarlo Stanton yet to resume running as he mends a low-grade right calf strain.
Domínguez was used as a designated hitter in seven games since being promoted from the Minors; Thursday marked his second game this year in the outfield.
Nicknamed “The Martian” as he became one of the most celebrated international prospects in recent memory, Domínguez has experienced a series of setbacks throughout his professional career, most notably requiring Tommy John surgery after just eight games following his Major League debut in 2023.
Though his playing time was impacted last season by Trent Grisham’s emergence, particularly in the second half, Domínguez won points in the clubhouse by cheering on his teammates and never seeming to pout.
“Gosh, he’s just such a good kid,” Boone said. “There’s a joy he walks to every day, no matter what’s going on. He’s very consistent in who he is. They love him in there. … Another layer is just really being a good guy and a good teammate. He kind of embodies that.”