TAMPA, Florida – The New York Yankees’ crowded outfield situation means Jasson Domínguez will not initiate the season on the Opening Day roster, a decision the switch-hitting outfielder said he understands.
“As I said before spring training started,” Domínguez recently stated, “I’m taking it day by day, trying to do my job. Whatever the decision is, it’s not up to me. I’m just trying to go day by day and see what happens.”
That decision came Friday before the Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, when Domínguez was assigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
The 23-year-old position up strong numbers in his bid for a roster spot, batting .325 (13-for-40) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBIs, and three stolen bases in 14 games.
However, the Yankees’ offseason moves signaled a return to the minor leagues was likely. Domínguez saw limited action in the second half of last season and had only one at-bat as a pinch hitter during the playoffs.
General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged earlier in spring training that “it would probably be in [Domínguez’s] best interest to play every day.”
That was difficult to guarantee in the Bronx, especially after the Yankees extended a $22.025 million qualifying offer to center fielder Trent Grisham in November.
Domínguez was initially expected to compete with Spencer Jones for a spot in left field, but that changed when Cody Bellinger re-signed with the club in January on a six-year, $162.5 million contract.
Aaron Judge is coming off his third MVP season in the last four years, Giancarlo Stanton will begin the year as the designated hitter, and the Yankees are leaning towards retaining Randal Grichuk in right field based on his track record against left-handed pitchers.
Despite the assignment, manager Aaron Boone has expressed confidence that Domínguez will play a significant role with the Major League club this season. Domínguez hit .257/.331/.388 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases in 123 games in 2025.
In other roster moves, the Yankees also optioned right-handed pitchers Kervin Castro and Yerry de los Santos to Triple-A. Catchers Ali Sánchez and Payton Henry, along with outfielder Kenedy Corona, were reassigned to minor league camp.
