TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez was ready for the questions as Yankees position players officially reported to camp on Sunday morning.
The ones about his defense. The one’s about his right-handed swing. And, of course, the ones about Brian Cashman’s recent concession that everyday reps are in the 23-year-old’s “best interest.”
The comment made it clear that a season-opening demotion to Triple-A is on the table for Domínguez, as veterans Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger are clogging the Yankees’ outfield. One of them or designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton would have to get hurt for Domínguez to have a path to regular playing time in the majors.
“Obviously, I hear all of that, but I try not to focus on that because there’s spring training coming, and this is baseball,” Domínguez said of the chatter surrounding him, which also included some offseason trade rumors. “A lot of things can happen.”
Asked specifically about Cashman’s most recent comment and the possibility of starting the season in the minors, Domínguez, coming off his first full major league campaign, added, “At the end of the day, depending on the situation, they gotta do what’s best for the team. Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for.
“That’s one thing that I can’t control. I don’t make the decisions, but I’m gonna do my best to get the best results that I can get, and that’s what I’m focusing on right now.”
Domínguez could compete with the uber-versatile Oswaldo Cabrera for the final spot on the Yankees’ bench, but he’s an imperfect fit to be the club’s fourth outfielder. Domínguez only plays left, and his defense has made him a liability up to this point. The switch-hitter hasn’t shown much from the right side, either.
Domínguez worked on his defense and righty swing throughout the offseason, playing winter ball in his native Dominican Republic and making his way to the Yankees’ Tampa-based player development complex on Jan. 15. He feels improved in both regards and mentioned how winter ball exposed him to some experienced players and different hitting and defensive philosophies.
“I think that can help me and a lot of players, to see things differently,” Domínguez said.
The Martian also said he benefitted mentally from being in a bench role last season. He entered 2025 as the Yankees’ starting left fielder, but he became a seldom-used backup as his deficiencies became clear and Grisham enjoyed a breakout season.
Domínguez noted that he was especially lucky that the Yankees traded for Amed Rosario last summer, as the veteran and fellow countryman helped him adjust to his reserve role. Rosario, re-signed over the winter and given a spring training locker next to Domínguez, taught the younger player to be ready for any opportunity.
That’s a lesson that Domínguez can apply now.
So can Spencer Jones, another young Yankees outfielder who Cashman said is “blocked.”
The general manager added that the prospect, turning 25 in May and yet to make his MLB debut, could compete for a starting gig in some other organizations. But Jones is behind Domínguez on the depth chart — not that that can’t change this spring — and would also likely need someone to get hurt for regular reps to open up.
“In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” Jones said. “If opportunities come later, I think it’s for good reason, and that we’re trying to help the team win the World Series.”
Jones is coming off a power-heavy season that was split between Double-A and Triple-A and briefly interrupted by back spasms, but his swing-and-miss tendencies and lack of in-zone contact remain a concern for the 6-7 left-handed hitter. He did his best to address that in the offseason, settling on a stance that he believes will lead to more consistency and working to refine his barrel path.
Jones did some of that work with former Rockies minor leaguer Will Haynie. Haynie, who runs H2 Baseball in Tennessee, first connected with Jones a few years ago.
“It’s just a lot of simple moves,” Jones said of Haynie’s advice. “It’s different stuff that I learned. A lot of it is kind of based on what Judge does with Teacherman [Hitting]. It’s kind of the same realm of hitting. So it’s trying to dial in those moves, make things work well, work quick.”
Jones also said that he improved his speed — he stole 29 bases last year — and worked on all three outfield positions. The latter could give him an edge if there is an injury in the Yankees’ outfield since the organization doesn’t view Domínguez as a capable center fielder.
But Jones has yet to play in the majors. Is he ready to?
“I’m as confident as anybody in this room,” Jones said when asked. “It’s just about going out there and proving it.”
