SAN DIEGO — The Yankees entered the final weeks of the regular season needing more than offense from their reshuffled outfield. Sunday’s 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres showed how a defensive lapse and a late lineup decision can complicate that search.
New York fell behind 3-0 before recording an out. Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, and Manny Machado opened the bottom of the first with consecutive home runs off Gerrit Cole. The Yankees later rallied within one run, but their comeback fell short.
The defeat left the Yankees at 81-62, four games behind Tampa Bay in the AL East. Their lead over Boston for the American League’s top wild-card position shrank to 2 1/2 games. With 19 games remaining, roster choices carry postseason significance.
That pressure is acute in an outfield missing Trent Grisham and awaiting Aaron Judge. The Yankees need immediate contributions while deciding which combinations can handle late-game situations when injured regulars return.
A short return leaves little room to establish a role
The Yankees recalled Dominguez on September 5 after placing Grisham on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. Grisham had aggravated the injury during Friday’s 3-2, 10-inning loss. The move gave Dominguez another opportunity after his August 3 demotion.
Before Sunday, Dominguez had 46 hits in 201 at-bats, six home runs, and 14 RBIs across 54 games. His 1-for-4 performance brought him to 47 hits in 205 at-bats, a .229 average, through 55 games. The updated totals come from the pregame figures and Sunday’s box score.
His 2025 season provides a stronger offensive benchmark: a .257 average, 10 home runs, and 47 RBIs in 123 games. Those numbers explain the Yankees’ continued interest, but not his current roster fit.
Jones has moved into center field, while Bellinger, Dominguez, and Ramos provide other options. Judge’s eventual return would add another regular. Dominguez could remain as depth, lose playing time, or be optioned, but the Yankees have announced no such decision.
Boone calls out a play that should have been made
Jasson Dominguez’s second game since his recall from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre brought a familiar concern back into focus. In the second inning, Dustin Harris hit a single to right field that skipped past the 23-year-old, allowing Harris to advance to third on an error.
Cole escaped when Xander Bogaerts grounded out, Ethan Salas struck out, and Tatis popped out. No run scored, but Boone made clear afterward that the lack of damage did not excuse the mistake.
“Obviously, a play you have to make. Didn’t make it.” Boone said.
The remarks criticized the play, not an announced roster decision.
Ramos admission exposes late-game dilemma
Dominguez finished 1-for-4 and came to bat in the eighth after the Yankees had cut San Diego’s lead to 4-3. Boone acknowledged afterward that he considered replacing him with Heliot Ramos.
The Yankees had rallied against left-hander Adrian Morejón. Cody Bellinger reached on an infield single, Paul Goldschmidt walked, and Spencer Jones delivered an RBI double. Amed Rosario then reached on an infield hit, and Morejón’s throwing error allowed two more runs to score.
Boone weighed the substitution but disliked the possibility of a matchup against Padres closer Mason Miller, who was warming in the bullpen. He said he did not necessarily believe San Diego would have brought Miller in against Ramos. He stayed with Dominguez.
Asked about the choice, Boone acknowledged considering the alternative while trying to give the Yankees their best chance for another hit.
“I was kind of taking my shot there, but I did consider it.” Boone said.
Dominguez lined out to end the inning. The choice did not prove Ramos would have produced a different result. It showed Boone weighing another option in a high-leverage situation. Ramos himself did not make the admission.
The error cost two bases, not a run
The official play-by-play provides an important distinction. Harris was credited with a single and advanced two additional bases on Dominguez’s error. The next three batters failed to bring him home, so the misplay produced no run.
That does not make it harmless. It put a runner in scoring position without another hit and forced Cole to pitch with less margin for error. But the winning run came on Luis Campusano’s seventh-inning homer, not the second-inning miscue.
The Yankees also lost a separate opportunity when Jose Caballero was thrown out trying to steal second during the eighth-inning rally. Dominguez then lined out. Neither event proves a different decision would have changed the result.
The broader issue is whether Dominguez can provide enough value across those situations. A player fighting for a limited role must convert routine chances and remain useful when Boone adjusts his lineup.
Yankees return home with decision still open
Cole completed seven innings, allowing six hits and four runs while walking none and striking out three. Michael King earned the win with six scoreless innings for San Diego, while Cole took the loss. Miller struck out the side in the ninth around a walk for his 33rd save.
The Yankees finished their trip through Anaheim and San Diego at 3-3. They had Monday off before opening a six-game homestand against Colorado on Tuesday, followed by the Mets. The next lineup will indicate how Boone intends to use his available outfielders.
Judge was expected to face live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday as he recovered from a right rib stress fracture. Boone had not committed to a Tuesday activation. Grisham remained on the injured list, with no confirmed return timetable in the material available through September 7.
For Dominguez, the immediate question is whether he will get another start and how the Yankees will use him. Boone’s remarks established the standard for the fielding play and revealed the alternative he considered at the plate. They did not settle the prospect’s future.
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