The New York Yankees announced Monday that top prospect Jasson Dominguez has been recalled from the team’s Triple-A Scranton affiliate.
Dominguez, 21, has a locker in the Yankees’ clubhouse and will start in center field for Monday’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals, according to several reporters who cover the team.
This season at Triple-A, Dominguez hit .314 with an .880 OPS, 11 homers, 35 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 250 plate appearances. He was limited to 58 games due to an oblique injury suffered in mid-June that sidelined him for six weeks. Before the season, MLB.com ranked him as the team’s number one overall prospect.
Fans and media outlets covering the team were surprised when Dominguez, nicknamed “The Martian” for his preternatural talent, was not among the Yankees’ starting lineup in September. Many likely remember his MLB debut last September when he hit 1-1 in the ninth inning. a Justin Verlander home runHowever, eight games into his tenure, Dominguez suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and required Tommy John surgery that kept him out until May.
Earlier this month, manager Aaron Boone said Dominguez was not promoted because the organization He wanted me to play every day, which I wouldn’t have done with the Yankees..
The Yankees, however, need Dominguez in the outfield. Alex Verdugo has hit just .235 with a .651 OPS this season, adding 28 doubles and 11 homers, while backup Trent Grisham is hitting .187. The Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm Jr., who played center field the past two seasons with the Miami Marlins, but have needed to play him at third base.
Dominguez actually played for the Yankees earlier this season, making a one-game appearance when the team was allowed a 27th player on its roster when it played in the Little League Classic on Aug. 18. He went 0-for-4 in the game.
To free up a roster spot for Dominguez, the Yankees placed infielder DJ LeMahieu on the injured list with right hip inflammation.
The Yankees begin a seven-game homestand Monday night with the American League’s best record at 82-61, just a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. They have a 100 percent chance of making the postseason as division champions or wild cards. According to FangraphsBut the addition of Dominguez makes their lineup stronger and deeper.