Glove allergy strikes Yankees again, claims Jasson Dominguez as second victim
- August 20, 2024
- 6:51 am
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Follow UsA few days after Alex Verdugo was found to have allergic reactions to gloves, a second Yankees star admitted to have been suffering a similar issue.
In an interview before Sunday’s game, Jasson Dominguez discussed his ongoing hand issues, which he’s dealt with since 2019, similar to the struggles of Alex Verdugo. A recent report highlighted Verdugo’s discovery of allergies to cobalt and chromate in his Franklin batting gloves and speculated on a possible connection between tattoos and hand problems, a theory proposed by a Manhattan allergist.
According to the Yankees’ top prospect, his white Nike batting gloves, marked by a black swoosh, are the only ones that didn’t cause him allergy. When the Yankees called up him for the MLB Little League World Series Classic in Williamsport, Dominguez made sure to pack them, as he feared other gloves might aggravate a persistent hand blister issue.
Dominguez, upon learning about the potential tattoo link, mentioned that he would delay any future tattoos. The Yankees rookie then showed a sore on his right hand, noting that the condition had remained relatively mild since he started using the white Nike gloves after his return to Triple-A in late July, following an oblique strain.
However, Dominguez voiced concern over the fact that Nike had discontinued this particular model, and he was now down to his last pair.
“It’s the only pair that I have where my hands are fine, and Nike doesn’t make this model anymore,” he said. “This is the last pair that I have.”
Yankees’ Dominguez adopts unique method to tackle glove allergy
Unlike Verdugo, who manages his hand discomfort by wrapping his palms in gauze and taping his fingers, Yankees prospect Dominguez has devised a unique method to ease his own hand issues. The rookie slips socks over his hands, cutting out holes for his fingers, before donning his batting gloves. He noted that this unconventional approach has been effective in alleviating his discomfort.
While Verdugo sought help from an allergist during a prolonged slump, Dominguez has yet to consult one. However, he has seen multiple doctors who believe his hand issues may be linked to his batting gloves. Despite this, Dominguez has downplayed the severity of the problem, expressing confidence that it hasn’t hindered his performance at the plate.
This confidence stems from his quick rise through the Yankees‘ farm system and his impressive performance during his first eight MLB games last September. Dominguez hit .258 with four home runs before a UCL tear led to Tommy John surgery, delaying his 2024 season debut.
Reflecting on the hand pain, Dominguez admitted it can be irritating but insisted it doesn’t affect his hitting. He continued to use the same white Nike batting gloves during his successful stint with the Yankees last fall.
While Dominguez favors Nike gloves, Verdugo remains committed to Franklin, despite his allergic reaction to cobalt and chromate in their products. Franklin is currently working on a custom glove for Verdugo that eliminates these problematic elements.
Franklin, the leading producer of batting gloves for MLB players since 1983, had never encountered a player allergic to their gloves until Alex Verdugo’s case, according to John Ballas, Franklin’s senior director of baseball operations. When Verdugo learned this, he mentioned that Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez had been dealing with similar hand issues.
The connection between Verdugo and Dominguez emerged during spring training, shortly after Verdugo was traded from the Red Sox to the Yankees in December. Their lockers were close, leading to conversations that revealed they both suffered from hand problems potentially linked to their batting gloves.
This situation has become increasingly noteworthy as the careers of these two players may be interconnected. Dominguez, seen as a future starter, could impact Verdugo’s tenure with the Yankees. With Dominguez expected to secure a starting outfield spot by the 2025 season, the Yankees might opt not to re-sign Verdugo when he becomes a free agent.
Dominguez’s recent call-up for Sunday’s game led to Verdugo being benched, though Yankees Manager Aaron Boone had signaled that Dominguez’s time with the team would be short. As expected, Dominguez was sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game.
Dr. Arthur Lubitz, an allergist familiar with Verdugo’s situation, suggested that the players’ hand issues might stem from a mix of factors, including ink in the gloves, tattoos, and sweating during games. He mentioned that these symptoms could potentially be treated with Dupixent, a biologic drug available since 2017.
Upon hearing about this possible treatment, Dominguez expressed interest in learning more about the injection and considering it as a potential solution to his ongoing hand problems.
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