Yankees News: Top Prospect Jasson Dominguez Faces Major Setback in His Minor League Rehab Stint

2024 seems to be a crucial yet injury-prone year for the New York Yankees. Previously, their star player, Juan Soto, got injured against the Minnesota Twins. This time, their top outfielder, Jasson Dominguez, is facing hurdles in his career. At the moment, when he has the chance to establish himself in the MLB, the current wound will only add woes to his already injury-prone career.

Dominguez made a remarkable entry going into the 2023 Major League baseball season. During the Yankees game in September, he hit four home runs in his first eight games, announcing his arrival. However, at the end of the 2023 season, he underwent Tommy John Surgery that railed the curtains on his 2023 journey. 

Yet again, in 2024, when he seemed to recover from the surgery, he was reinstated last week. With a robust Yankees Outfield lineup boasting Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Giancarlo Stanton as hitters, Dominguez has the time to be sent to Triple-A and ensure that he fully recovers.  

However, this time, the injury looks serious. Dominguez’s latest oblique strain injury will delay his return, creating complexities for the Yankees in the outfield. As manager Aaron Boone said on the SNY network, he might be sidelined for at least eight weeks.  Right now, the Yankees are in a challenging position without the service of Jasson Dominguez. Therefore, they must rely on their current team and maintain consistent performance. 

Jasson Dominguez’s past performance & Yankee’s future gameplay

When fully fit, Dominguez has shown his immense potential as a player for the Yankees. In 2023, he poised the field, having a batting average of .258 with four home runs and an impressive seven RBIs in only eight games. 

Also, performing in the minor leagues in 2024, his performance was exceptional. The 21-year-old hitter had quite a promising start to his rehab session. Playing 23 games across the Triple-A Scranton and the Double-A Somerset, he hit .380/.405/.639, along with two home runs, three RBIs and earned 167 wRC+. 

While the above numbers might be small enough to judge a player’s potential, Jasson Dominguez showed that he has the attributes of an MLB player’s caliber.  Regarding future games, the Yankees will have to shift their outfield setup without Jasson Dominguez. There’s probably speculation that Aaron Judge will take control of the left field. 

For Jasson Dominguez, the redundant injuries are a concern for him and the management. Presently, the Yankees are ensuring that he recovers fully and not rush on his return. Once he’s fully fit, the Yankees might do their best for Juan Soto’s extension. If that’s possible, Dominguez, along with Juan Soto, could be a deadly combination, delivering significant potential to hit any ball out of the park.