NEW YORK – Hours after the medical cart disappeared through Yankee Stadium’s loading dock, Jasson Domínguez had undergone a CT scan and MRI on his aching left shoulder. The Yankees outfielder finally got a chance to watch his exceptional catch, which would send him to the 10-day injured list.
What did “The Martian” think?
“It was scary to see how I hit the wall, but I definitely watched it. It was a great catch,” Domínguez said. “I felt the ball when I caught it, but then I just went to the ground. I could feel it was still in my glove, so that was a relief.”
Domínguez’s highlight-reel grab took place on May 7 against the Rangers, his ninth game in the big leagues this season. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said then that Domínguez would be out for at least “a few weeks.”
Having recently received a cortisone injection, there is still no concrete timetable for Domínguez’s return. Boone said Domínguez did increase activities on Wednesday by advancing from dry swings and pool work, hitting off a tee for the first time since the injury.
Considering the violent nature of his injury, Domínguez and the Yankees were relieved when all of his concussion testing came back negative. The club briefly placed him in concussion protocol, but that was considered a formality.
The play occurred in the top of the first inning. Facing Paul Blackburn that afternoon, leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo scorched a drive to left field.
Having spent most of the past two seasons working on improving his defensive routes, Domínguez tracked the ball well and leapt near the wall, his back crashing into the metal covering over a digital advertising board.
“I knew I was close, but I didn’t think I was that close to the wall,” Domínguez said. “In the moment, you just go for the ball. You don’t have time to think.”
Jarred by the collision, Domínguez remained down for several moments, receiving attention from head athletic trainer Tim Lentych. The crowd cheered when Domínguez rose to his feet; he shook his head as he was guided toward the seat of the medical cart.
“I remember that I caught the ball, and then I remember when [Trent Grisham] touched my back,” Domínguez said. “The other part, when I fell, I don’t remember that.”
At the time of Domínguez’s injury, he appeared set to receive an extended run of playing time, with Giancarlo Stanton mending a low-grade right calf strain.
Stanton said on Tuesday that he is still waiting for clearance to resume running, as a recent MRI did not show enough healing to advance. Though Dominguez said his shoulder still felt “uncomfortable” while swinging on Wednesday, he’s eager to do more.
“There’s definitely been some improvement, but I can’t give you a time right now,” Domínguez said. “It’s getting better. I’ve been working at it. It’s a day-by-day thing, trying to get the motion back and trying to get the shoulder in a good position.”
One of the most celebrated international prospects in recent memory, Domínguez has experienced a series of setbacks throughout his pro career, most notably requiring Tommy John surgery after just eight games following his 2023 Major League debut.
Though his playing time was impacted last season by 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.”