Perhaps the Yankees’ biggest wild card this season is the health of Jasson Dominguez and the impact he could potentially bring to the team.
Dominguez is still recovering from undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last September and will likely not be ready until later in the season, but manager Aaron Boone certainly sounds optimistic about the progress he is making.
“He’s doing really well,” Boone told The Michael Kay Show on Thursday. “[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 also added that Dominguez will begin throwing in about 10 days to two weeks.
Dominguez has been a highly touted prospect in the Yankees’ farm system for the last few years and the switch-hitting outfielder left an impression during his brief eight-game stint in the majors last season, going 8-for-31 (.258) with four home runs, seven RBI, a double and two walks.
His first at-bat he hit an opposite-field home run off of Justin Verlander.
Adding a healthy Dominguez to an outfield that consists of Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo could be a major mid-season addition for the Bombers.
“Hopefully,” Boone continued, “that will be a pretty good shot in the arm for us at some point in the summer.”