Estevan Florial gets much-awaited Yankees call to step in for injured Jasson Dominguez

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In light of the most recent updates to the Yankees roster, outfielder Estevan Florial will step in for Jasson Dominguez, who has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament.

On Sunday, Estevan Florial showcased an outstanding performance, going 3 for 5 with two home runs and six RBIs while playing for the AAA RailRiders. Throughout this season at the Triple-A, the former Yankees top prospect has consistently excelled, maintaining impressive statistics. He currently holds a .284 batting average, a .380 on-base percentage, 28 home runs, 79 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, a .945 OPS, and a .565 slugging percentage in 101 games.

Despite Estevan Florial’s impressive performance in AAA, he has limited exposure to MLB, having played only 30 games for the Yankees. This has led some to categorize him as an “AAAA” player. Nevertheless, given the current circumstances with the Yankees, it may be worth considering another opportunity for Estevan Florial to demonstrate his abilities at the major league level.

Once regarded as one of baseball’s premier prospects, Estevan Florial faced a setback in his career when the Yankees designated him for assignment immediately after Opening Day. His challenges mounted when he went unclaimed on waivers, resulting in the Yankees outrighting him back to Triple-A. Florial has been competing at the Triple-A level since 2021. Nevertheless, his resurgence has gained substantial momentum in the year 2023.

Despite being a 25-year-old former top prospect within the Yankees’ system, Estevan Florial has enjoyed an exceptional season at the Triple-A level. Notwithstanding his impressive performance, the Yankees have consistently opted to promote other minor league talents and seasoned players.

Manager Boone has openly acknowledged that Estevan Florial has been a focal point of discussion within the organization for a substantial portion of the past two months. Boone also underscored Florial’s possession of the requisite skills and abilities for success. Nevertheless, the Yankees have currently prioritized evaluating a select few players over him.

What’s next for Jasson Dominguez

Dominguez is scheduled to undergo UCL reconstruction surgery, commonly referred to as Tommy John surgery, although a specific surgery date has not yet been determined.

Boone stated that it was a moment in time within the broader context of what they believed had the potential to be a long and successful career. He emphasized the importance of addressing the situation promptly, given the nature of sports where tough challenges frequently arise. Boone expressed his confidence that the player would make a full recovery and bounce back from the setback, acknowledging the initial disappointment but also highlighting the strong support system in place. He mentioned that they had observed the player’s ability to handle adversity well, even in this particular situation, and believed that he would emerge from it in a better and stronger position. Boone assured that they would provide continuous support throughout the entire journey.

Tommy John surgery has become a routine procedure for pitchers, who generally require a recovery period ranging from 12 to 18 months before making their return to the major leagues. However, because Dominguez is not a pitcher, his recovery timeline is expected to be shorter. According to Boone, Dominguez might be sidelined for as few as 10 months.

What’s next for the Yankees

It was probably General Manager Brian Cashman’s wish that Dominguez would demonstrate his readiness to assume the starting role in center field for the upcoming season during September. However, that possibility is now off the table, and the Yankees lack credible internal options for the position.

Utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to take on a significant portion of the playing time in center field for the remainder of the regular season, although rookie Everson Pereira has some experience in that position as well. Additionally, the Yankees may consider calling up former top prospect Estevan Florial.

Before this development, the Yankees had already been anticipated to keep a close eye on the offseason market, with their sights set on potential free agent Cody Bellinger, who currently plays for the Chicago Cubs. Bellinger, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, has experienced a resurgence this season, boasting a .319 batting average along with 24 home runs and an impressive .909 OPS. He had previously inked a two-year, $25 million contract last offseason, which included a mutual option for 2024, an option he is likely to exercise, effectively opting out of the contract.

Additionally, there were indications of the Yankees’ interest in the return of their soon-to-be free-agent center fielder, Harrison Bader, whom they parted away just last week. Bader was subsequently acquired by the Cincinnati Reds.

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