Brian Cashman grounds Jasson Dominguez with reality

TAMPA — Jason Dominguez’s Spring Training Progress

Jason Dominguez put on quite a show on Friday, going 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs in a game against the Twins. He definitely showcased some potential there.

This Sunday, he’ll be back at it, starting against the Phillies in Clearwater.

However, general manager Brian Cashman reminded everyone on Saturday of the hurdles that still lie ahead for the 23-year-old outfielder if he hopes to secure a spot on the major league roster.

“He’s putting in the effort and really pushing himself,” Cashman said before the Yankees’ 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Clearly, there’s not an everyday spot available right now, with players like [Trent] Grisham, [Cody] Bellinger, and [Giancarlo] Stanton in the mix. But things can change quite rapidly, and all he can do is work hard along with [Spencer] Jones and others. We’ll evaluate opportunities as camp progresses and make decisions later.”

Cashman expressed, “I hope the decisions we have to make are tough ones.”

Dominguez has been impressive, boasting a .417/.429/.833 stat line through just four spring games. Yet, his path to a return to the Bronx is getting narrower; the Yankees have recently signed Grichuk—a seasoned player known for his performance against left-handers.

Grichuk, who joined his first Yankees practice on Saturday, brings a lifetime batting average of .268 and an OPS of .819 against lefties to the table. That’s pretty solid.

In contrast, Dominguez has had limited experience facing left-handed pitching, with only 134 at-bats. Results have been tricky for him, especially as a right-handed hitter, where he averages a mere .176, not exactly stellar.

Grichuk, who started his career with the Cardinals in 2014, has accumulated 212 career home runs and a .763 OPS overall, making a strong case for playing time.

“It’s about creating options,” Cashman explained regarding the Grichuk signing. “Our aim is to have difficult choices to make by camp’s end. Ideally, everyone stays healthy and performs well, leading to those tough decisions. His history against lefties is a big plus for us.”

Dominguez lost his starting spot last season, as it was decided that his situation wasn’t conducive to helping a title contender. With Grichuk signing a minor league deal, Dominguez might face even stiffer competition.

A wait for the future might be necessary.

Cashman praised Dominguez’s professionalism amidst this challenge, noting, “He understands what he can control. If he performs and shows commitment consistently, everything else will sort itself out.”