Jasson Dominguez back with Yankees by Memorial Day? That could be determined during surgery

One source expressed optimism about a return around Memorial Day, another cautioned that it was too soon to say

9/13/2023, 11:05 PM
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There is some early optimism around the Yankees that rookie sensation Jasson Dominguez will be able to return around Memorial Day next season -- but the team does not expect to know for sure until The Martian is under the knife.

As of early evening Wednesday, Dominguez was still receiving and evaluating opinions regarding the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, and the Yankees were not quite ready to announce his surgery.

While one source expressed optimism about a return around Memorial Day, another cautioned that it was too soon to say because the nature of Dominguez’s surgery will determine that.

His two known options are Tommy John surgery, with an expected recovery time of 9-10 months for a position player, and an internal bracing procedure that is less serious. Boston shortstop Trevor Story had the internal brace and returned after seven months.

Based on that timetable, an internal brace procedure could put Dominguez back on the field in mid-to-late May. Tommy John would likely mean missing at least the first half of the season.

“In many cases it takes going in there to see if a brace would work,” said one source.

That was true for Phillies star Bryce Harper, whose surgery began last November without the doctor knowing if it would be an internal brace or a Tommy John procedure. It was determined during the surgery that Harper needed Tommy John.

He returned in a record 160 days, but that example is not necessarily predictive for Dominguez. Harper has exclusively played first base and designated hitter this season.

The Yankees will have Anthony Rizzo under contract next season, and plenty of options at DH, including Giancarlo Stanton. The club will more likely need Dominguez to be ready to play outfield.

Dominguez’s overall tools profile at center and left, positions for which a strong throwing arm is less important than it is in right.

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