This Tuesday, the New York Yankees announced that their star pitcher, Gerrit Cole will commence his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset. This marks a significant step in his journey back to the majors, sparking hope among Yankees fans. Additionally, the Bronx Bombers has extended outfielder Jasson Dominguez’s rehab assignment by ten days, promoting him from Double-A Somerset to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, highlighting his progress and the organization’s high hopes for his future.
Gerrit Cole’s return timeline still uncertain
Gerrit Cole, recovering from an elbow injury, was expected to start rehab this Tuesday, as anticipated since last Sunday. According to the New York Post, once Cole begins his rehab assignment, it will start a 30-day clock, potentially putting him back in the majors by the end of June or early July. The Yankees plan to use most of those 30 days to build Cole’s workload carefully. Manager Aaron Boone stated, “We want to ensure Gerrit is fully recovered and ready to contribute at his best when he returns to the mound.”
The team is not rushing Cole’s return despite Clarke Schmidt’s lat strain, which will sideline Schmidt for four to six weeks, potentially until August. This decision reflects the Yankees’ commitment to player health and long-term performance.
Yankees fans disappointed as Jasson Dominguez remains in rehab
Yankees fans hoping for a significant roster shakeup were disappointed by the team’s decision not to replace struggling outfielder Trent Grisham with top prospect Jasson Dominguez. Despite Grisham’s poor performance, hitting just .051 with two hits in 39 at-bats over 20 games, the Yankees believe Domínguez needs regular playing time, which isn’t feasible in the majors now.
Dominguez, impressive in his brief stint with the Yankees last September and stellar in his rehab stint, batting .333 with four homers in 14 games post-Tommy John surgery, was reassigned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for an additional ten days. This move ensures Dominguez gets enough playing time and is fully ready for the majors. Initially used as a designated hitter, he has played only 12 innings in the outfield over three rehab games.
Despite Jasson Dominguez’s impressive form, Pinstripes Nation reported that El Marciano would likely remain in the minors for an extended period, as the Yankees are cautious about managing his playing time. Be that as it may, the team is excelling in the Majors, currently holding the top spot in MLB. Due to their outstanding performance, the Yankees plan to maintain their current strategy without making any changes to what has been working effectively for them so far.
Last season, Dominguez spent most of his time in Double-A before a late promotion to Triple-A, where he hit .419 in nine games. This performance led to his first call-up to the Yankees in September, where he made a strong impression before an elbow injury required Tommy John surgery.
Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about Domínguez’s progress: “It’s been really in line with how the rehab process for him has gone. He’s in great shape, the build-up has gone well, and he’s in a perfect frame of mind. We’re excited about his progress.” In Triple-A, Dominguez will be the RailRiders’ everyday center fielder, playing alongside top prospect Everson Pereira and veteran Oscar Gonzalez.
Despite Grisham’s struggles, the Yankees appreciate his defensive skills and hope he can turn his season around. Acquired in a December trade with the Padres, Grisham has hit just one home run and is 0-for-19 since April 26. Last season, he batted .198 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs over 153 games with San Diego.
The Yankees remain optimistic about the future contributions of Jasson Dominguez and Gerrit Cole, viewing them as key players in their future lineup. They will continue to monitor their development closely.
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