Jasson Domínguez is facing questions about his role with the New York Yankees as Spring Training begins. The 23-year-old outfielder acknowledged the uncertainty after general manager Brian Cashman indicated that Domínguez may start the season in the Minor Leagues to get more regular playing time.
“Obviously, I hear all of that, but I try not to focus on that,” Domínguez said Sunday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “I try not to focus on that, because there is a Spring Training coming and this is baseball. A lot of things can happen.”
The Yankees’ outfield includes Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge in starting roles, with Giancarlo Stanton as designated hitter. This arrangement limits opportunities for Domínguez, who spent much of last season in a reserve position.
Cashman recently stated it would be better for Domínguez’s development to receive everyday at-bats: he “would concede it’s in his best interest to be getting everyday reps.” The team has discussed optioning him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
“They’ve got to do what’s best for the team,” Domínguez said. “Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for.”
Veteran player Amed Rosario provided guidance as Domínguez adjusted to reduced playing time last year. Rosario shared advice about staying prepared for pinch-hitting or pinch-running situations.
“Rosario has been in that role before,” Domínguez said. “The biggest thing I learned from that is just trying to be ready whenever the opportunity comes, if I’ve got to steal a base or if I’ve got to hit. I’ve just got to be ready for when that moment comes.”
Domínguez appeared only once during the postseason as a ninth-inning pinch-hitter against Toronto in Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Yankee Stadium. He doubled and scored in New York’s final game of the year.
After the season ended, Domínguez played winter ball focusing on left field defense and hitting against left-handed pitchers—areas where he has struggled so far. In his career against Major League left-handers, he has hit .186 with one home run and nine RBIs over 118 at-bats.
“Coming into camp, I feel pretty good,” he said. “I feel like I’ve improved in my defense and my righty side, too… [Winter ball] was different. It was a lot of players with a lot of experience, and I think that helped me a lot, to have another mentality about defense and hitting. There are a lot of philosophies about that.”
Another player affected by the crowded outfield is Spencer Jones, who turns 25 in May and is ranked as New York’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline. Jones had been considered a candidate for left field before Bellinger re-signed with the team on January 26.
Cashman noted other organizations might give Jones an immediate opportunity: “He’s currently blocked, with us, on the depth chart.”
Jones expressed patience: “In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” he said Sunday. “If opportunities come later, I think it’s for a good reason. We’re trying to help a team win a World Series.”
For now, both prospects await further decisions from management as Spring Training unfolds.
As Cashman explained: “Sometimes, those decisions get made for us.”
“I’m going to do my best to get the best results that I can get,” Domínguez added. “That’s what I’m focusing on right now.”
