The New York Yankees have promoted top prospect Jasson Domínguez ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals, putting to rest the question of whether he would be called up following the roster expansion earlier this month. The 21-year-old Domínguez was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, playing center field and batting sixth. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Domínguez will have substantial playing time as the Yankees compete with the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East title.
Domínguez expressed his excitement, saying, “This is a dream. Since I started playing, I wanted to be in the big leagues, and now I’m here again. It’s exciting and I’m really happy about it.”
The decision not to call up Domínguez on September 1, when teams first had the option to expand to 28-man rosters, was met with surprise and frustration from fans. Domínguez had been performing well at the Triple-A level, while Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo had struggled significantly since June. However, Boone explained that Domínguez’s season had been disrupted by injuries—Tommy John surgery last September and an oblique strain in June—which limited his playtime. Additionally, the team wanted to give Verdugo, a seasoned player with postseason experience, more chances to improve.
General Manager Brian Cashman had noted that Verdugo provided the team with “the best chance to win.” However, after the Yankees’ series against the Cubs, where they struggled offensively, the decision was made to bring Domínguez up and shift Verdugo to a bench role.
Boone explained that roster decisions are continuously evolving, and Domínguez’s recent strong performance in the minors played a role in his call-up. Domínguez’s return to the Yankees comes after a promising debut last September, which was cut short by a torn UCL in his elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. After recovering and a brief stint in Triple-A, Domínguez has been impressive, batting .314 with 11 home runs across three minor league levels this season, and is regarded as a top-10 prospect in baseball.
Alongside Domínguez’s promotion, the Yankees activated infielder Jon Berti from the injured list and placed infielder DJ LeMahieu on the injured list due to a right hip impingement. Berti, who had been sidelined since May, was acquired earlier this year and is expected to contribute with his speed. Boone mentioned that LeMahieu, who has been struggling with hip issues and is having a difficult season, might not return in 2024.
