TAMPA

Last season, when Jasson Dominguez had to sit out, the Yankees had the option to send him to Triple-A. But, Brian Cashman admitted over the winter that he thought it wouldn’t be fair to do so. After all, the outfielders still had roles to fill as the team sought a playoff spot.

Now, as spring unfolds, the Yankees find themselves with a packed outfield once again, having invested in players like Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, and, of course, Dominguez. So, has the new year and different conditions shifted the chances of Dominguez heading to Triple-A after camp?

“If everything stays constant, we’ll have to figure out what’s best for the team,” Cashman said Friday at Steinbrenner Field. He added, “I believe it’s beneficial for him to get regular playing time.”

In reality, unless there’s an injury, the most likely spot for him would be Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Dominguez just turned 23, and last year, the Yankees faced some growing pains, frequently noting his limited playtime in the minors due to injuries and the pandemic.

Given that, it seems reasonable to give him a shot at daily play in the minors, especially after he spent last season in the Bronx, accumulating some success over 429 at-bats.

That reasoning is bolstered by the fact that he doesn’t have a solid role on the bench aside from possibly being a pinch runner. He’s a switch hitter, and while he’s effective against left-handers, Grisham and Bellinger are also lefty hitters.

The final bench spot for the Yankees could likely be better suited for a right-handed outfielder or someone who can defend well in left field, especially since they missed Dominguez last year, particularly with Paul Goldschmidt’s re-signing.

“Dominguez is an exceptionally skilled player,” Cashman noted. “He’s one of our fastest runners, which boosts our chances of success whether he’s coming off the bench to steal a base, or moving around the bases.” He continued, “We’ll see how spring plays out before we make any final decisions.”

Dominguez could be back with the team after just one injury, but center fielder Spencer Jones, known for his impressive power and notable strikeout rate, is also vying for his spot this spring.

“Ideally, you’d place him behind Dominguez since he has more experience,” Cashman said, “But that doesn’t mean Spencer won’t put up a strong fight.”