Yankees' Jasson Dominguez expected to swing bat by end of camp
Jasson Dominguez arrived early to Yankees camp and is already making progress in his recovery from elbow surgery.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com was in Tampa on Tuesday and reported that the Yankees prospect is making strides in his rehab and will soon be playing catch and even taking swings.
“Latest update on Jasson Dominguez is that he will be playing catch shortly; he’s already shagging fly balls,” Hoch wrote. “Should be swinging a bat by the end of camp, with club targeting a summer return.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently told The Michael Kay Show that Dominguez is doing “really well” following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last September.
“He’s doing really well,” Boone said at the time. “[He’s in] great shape. He turned a whopping 21 years old [Wednesday]. It’s so good to see him. …He’s working hard. Again, he’ll be back in the summer for us. I’m confident in that.”
Boone added that the young outfielder will begin throwing in 10-14 days, which lines up with what Hoch is reporting, but having Dominguez taking swings is potentially a major addition for the Yankees this summer.
In eight games last season before he was injured, Dominguez hit .258 (8-for-31) with four home runs and seven RBI.
Dominguez was slated to be a big part of the Yankees outfield in 2024, but the elbow injury will likely keep him from doing so this year. Similar to Bryce Harper of the Phillies, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery and returned in just 160 days, the Yankees will protect their young player by not straining his arm too much by playing him in the outfield.
Harper was primarily a first baseman and designated hitter in 2023, but that is likely not an option for Dominguez. The Yankees filled out their outfield with Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham while Giancarlo Stanton will be used in the DH spot.
While it’s great to see Dominguez making his way back to the team, his role on this Yankees team is a storyline to watch this season and could affect how GM Brian Cashman addresses needs throughout the year.
