Yankees let Verdugo play with leg problem but keep Dominguez away

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Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo, known for his spirited “dawg” celebrations in the dugout, recently faced criticism for what appeared to be a lack of hustle during a game against the Rangers. His slow jogs to first base on groundouts in his early at-bats were so evident that broadcaster Michael Kay speculated he might be nursing an injury.

The situation led to confusion about Verdugo’s condition. After the game, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Verdugo was dealing with some physical issues, but Verdugo initially told reporters that he felt fine. In a later conversation with NJ Advance Media, Verdugo admitted he was managing a leg problem, explaining that he was selectively deciding when to push himself on the basepaths. Verdugo said he reserves maximum effort for crucial situations, like breaking up double plays, but doesn’t see the need to sprint on routine groundouts when the odds of reaching base are slim.

“There are certain plays where you’ve got to push, like when you’re trying to break up a double play,” the Yankees outfielder said. “But with nobody on and I roll one to first or second and I see that the guy has possession and he’s going to make a transfer, I don’t really see a big deal to burn out the wheels.”

When asked for specifics about his injury, Verdugo was reluctant to divulge details, emphasizing that it wasn’t a significant issue. The Yankees ‘Dawg’ star did note, however, that playing three straight games on Globe Life Field’s artificial turf had worsened his discomfort, as the surface often exacerbates minor aches and pains.

“I’ve got certain things going on. I’m not going to go into it,” he said. “It’s really nothing serious.”

Verdugo admits that his lack of hustle on routine groundballs isn’t a good one and acknowledges he needs to show more effort, even when not going all out. He says he’s trying to balance professionalism with managing his physical condition, especially as the season reaches its critical point.

“The turf kind of eats you a little bit,” he said. “It makes certain things ache a little bit more. There needs to be a little bit better of an effort,” he said. “There’s a professional way and I chose to save my legs a little bit. But it’s one of those things. We’re right at that part of the year where we’ve got to be a little bit smart with some things.”

In what could be his lone season with the Yankees before free agency, Verdugo has struggled at the plate, hitting .235 with 11 homers and 56 RBIs in 134 games. His performance has been impacted by an allergy to batting gloves, leading to frequent blisters. Despite these setbacks, the Yankees left fielder has shown signs of improvement, hitting .341 over his last 11 games.

Despite Verdugo’s leg issue, Yankees resist calling Dominguez

During Tuesday’s game, Verdugo went 1-for-3 with a walk, but his noticeable slow jogs to first base on groundouts drew attention. Yankees manager Aaron Boone defended Verdugo, describing him as a player who is battling physical limitations but still giving his best. Boone noted that Verdugo strategically picks moments to push hard, like when he beat out a force play recently to avoid a double play.

The Yankees skipper conceded that Verdugo’s approach might not always look great, especially on plays where the outcome is obvious, but he expressed no doubt about Verdugo’s overall commitment. Boone understands the optics of the situation but stands by Verdugo’s dedication and effort.

The Yankees’ decision to keep top prospect Jasson Dominguez in Triple-A beyond the September 1 roster expansion has sparked debate, particularly in light of Alex Verdugo’s recent struggles and perceived lack of hustle on routine plays. Boone’s comments that Verdugo is “beat up” have only intensified calls for Dominguez’s promotion.

The reluctance to elevate Dominguez while continuing to rely on Verdugo has raised eyebrows, including within the Yankees’ own ranks. General Manager Brian Cashman and Boone’s ongoing support of Verdugo has not quelled concerns about the team’s decision-making.

Boone acknowledged that Yankees executives discussed promoting Dominguez ahead of September. According to insiders, the debate was contentious, with several high-ranking officials pushing hard for Dominguez’s call-up, though they were ultimately overruled.

Cashman and Boone clearly see Dominguez as a valuable asset, as shown by their refusal to include him in trade discussions for players like Blake Snell and Juan Soto. Dominguez’s performance in the minors, where he’s hitting .310 with a .870 OPS, further strengthens the argument for his promotion.

The underlying issue seems to be an unexpectedly high level of confidence in Verdugo from Cashman and Boone. Boone had reportedly been pushing for Verdugo’s acquisition for more than a year before the Yankees traded for him. While the move initially seemed promising, Verdugo’s production has fallen short.

Verdugo has excelled defensively in left field, but his offensive struggles have been glaring. Since mid-June, his .547 OPS ranks among the worst in baseball for players with at least 200 plate appearances, and his season OPS is just .655. Verdugo has blamed some of his hitting woes on an allergy to his batting gloves.

Adding Dominguez could provide a much-needed boost to the Yankees’ lineup. The recent return of Giancarlo Stanton and the addition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. have already bolstered the team’s offensive depth, and Dominguez’s call-up could make the Yankees even more potent.

While there’s a strong case for promoting Dominguez, the immediate issue remains Verdugo’s effort level on the field. Given his disappointing offensive stats, it’s reasonable to expect a player with a .650 OPS to show maximum effort on every play, especially as the Yankees push for a postseason berth.

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