The New York Yankees will have Jasson Dominguez available off the bench on Friday.
Dominguez exited Wednesday’s game with a left elbow contusion following a hit-by-pitch. At the time, the Yankees said Dominguez would have to undergo more tests, but the hope was that it wouldn’t be serious.
Ahead of the Yankees’ series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, manager Aaron Boone announced Dominguez is available off the bench and won’t need an IL stint.
“Aaron Boone said Jasson Dominguez’s CT scan came back clean. He was already doing some baseball activities before Boone spoke, the manager hopes to have him available off the bench,” Yankees insider Gary Phillips wrote on X.
Dominguez wasn’t expected to be in the lineup on Friday anyway, as the Orioles are starting left-hander Cade Povich. Yet, it is good news that the outfielder is available to pinch-hit if needed. If he’s not needed, there is a good chance Dominguez will be back in the lineup on Saturday.
Dominguez is hitting .111 in 9 at-bats since being recalled. In Triple-A this season, he’s hitting .326 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs, while last year in the Bronx, he hit .257 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 123 games.
Yankees Get Positive News on Dominguez
New York was hoping that Dominguez wouldn’t need an IL stint, especially with Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list.
After Dominguez exited the game, he said it wasn’t a huge concern to him, as he felt like it wasn’t anything major.
“It got me right on the elbow, and right now, just swelling,” Dominguez said after the game. “As of right now, I don’t feel any concern.”
However, Boone, meanwhile, said Dominguez had to go through some more tests, and the hope was they would come back clean.
“Hopefully the tests reveal not much, and it’s just bruising, and we’ll work through it,” Boone said. “But unknown at this point.”
Luckily for the Yankees, the tests have come back clean, and Dominguez could pinch hit on Friday and be playing over the weekend.
Dominguez was considered the top prospect eligible to sign with an MLB team in the 2019–2020 international class. He signed with the Yankees for a franchise record $5.1 million signing bonus on July 2, 2019.
Fans React to Dominguez News
After Boone announced that Dominguez won’t need an IL stint, Yankees fans were excited.
Following the news, Yankees fans took to social media to react to Dominguez being available off the bench on Friday.
“Huge, not sure if his career arc could withstand another elbow issue. The time is now for this young man,” a fan wrote.
“Well that’s good to hear,” a fan added.
“Much better than I expected!,” a fan wrote.
“Great news for the Martian,” a fan added.
Yankees fans are hopeful Dominguez will be back in the lineup on Saturday against a right-hander.
“We couldn’t afford another hitter go to the IL,” a fan wrote.
“Awesome news, get him back in the lineup tomorrow,” a fan added.
“WE ARE SO BACK!!!!,” a fan wrote.
The Yankees will host the Orioles for a three-game series beginning on Friday.
Yankees Make Jasson Dominguez Decision Ahead of Orioles Series