Boone equally poor in explaining Yankees’ Dominguez U-turn

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For weeks, the Yankees have been fielding questions about Jasson Dominguez’s status at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Both manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman stoutly defended their strategy. Even the GM recently addressed the topic, stating in Chicago that the current left-field setup gave the Yankees the best chance to win and that Dominguez would only be promoted when a full-time spot opened.

Yet, in a sudden shift, the Yankees promoted Dominguez to the big leagues on Monday ahead of their series opener against the Royals at Yankee Stadium. Joining him was utility player Jon Berti, coinciding with DJ LeMahieu being placed on the injured list with a right hip impingement.

The timing of Dominguez’s promotion has sparked questions, especially since it contradicts the Yankees’ earlier stance and bypassed an opportunity to call him up when rosters expanded on September 1 or earlier in the summer.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone discussed the decision to promote Jasson Domínguez, emphasizing that no single event prompted the move. Boone described the roster as a constantly shifting puzzle that requires continual assessment and adjustment.

“The roster is a living, breathing organism every day that’s always kind of evolving,” the Yankees manager said. “You’re always paying attention. Like I said on September 1, when we didn’t initially recall Jasson, he’s in the conversation every single day. I think as much as anything, it’s just continuing to build the momentum he’s built here over the last few weeks, where we feel like he’s really starting to be in the peak of his season and playing at a really high level. He’s been knocking on that door since he came back. Now seemed like the time to bring him.”

Dominguez forces Yankees to make a U-turn

Boone acknowledged that Dominguez had been a daily topic of conversation since September 1, when the team initially opted against recalling him. He pointed to Domínguez’s recent surge as a major influence, noting the prospect’s steadily improving play in recent weeks.

Dominguez’s recent stats validate Boone’s U-turn. Over his last 21 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he has excelled, hitting .360 (31-for-86) with a .963 OPS and a 150 wRC+. Since his return from an oblique strain in late July, he has maintained a .288 average with a .798 OPS and five home runs in 35 games.

For his debut, Domínguez started in center field, with Aaron Judge filling the designated hitter spot while Giancarlo Stanton took a rest day. Boone suggested this configuration might limit Alex Verdugo’s playing time, aligning with Cashman’s previous remarks that Domínguez would receive ample opportunities on the field.

Domínguez’s arrival comes as Alex Verdugo continues to struggle in left field. Although Domínguez had spent a large part of the season recovering from Tommy John surgery and an oblique strain, he had been healthy and performing well in Triple-A for weeks, showing he was physically ready for a call-up.

This decision underscores the unpredictable nature of roster moves in baseball, suggesting that the Yankees may have reconsidered their plans due to evolving team needs or recent performances, leading to Domínguez’s long-anticipated debut.

Boone expressed optimism about the current roster makeup, noting that the additions of Domínguez and Jon Berti have bolstered the team. He highlighted the collective effort, stressing the importance of every player contributing to the Yankees’ push down the stretch.

“It’s all hands on deck,” the manager said. “We feel like our roster is strong right now and capable and has a chance to do something really special. So I feel like we got a little better today, with Berti coming up and Jasson coming in. Hopefully, in their own way, they can impact us and help us win games.”

The manager’s comments reflect the organization’s confidence that the updated lineup gives the Yankees their best shot at making a significant impact in the season’s final stretch.

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