TAMPA — Jason Dominguez’s Spring Training Story

Jason Dominguez has a story to tell. Just a year ago, he showed up for spring training without a clear starting spot in left field. Fast forward to now, and he reported to Yankees camp as the fourth outfielder. If luck holds and everyone stays healthy, he could be moving up to Triple-A by late spring.

In the past year, his role has shifted in ways he didn’t entirely expect. “This is baseball. A lot of things can happen,” Dominguez mentioned on Sunday. “At the end of the day, they have to do what’s best for the team given the situation. Whatever decision they make, I’m going to be ready for it.” A single injury to any of the starting outfielders—like Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, or even DH Giancarlo Stanton—could open a door for him again.

The same uncertainty applies to outfield prospect Spencer Jones, who currently finds his path to the majors blocked.

However, there’s a possibility that Dominguez could face challenges getting out of camp with the major league team. “That’s one thing I can’t control,” he expressed. “I’m not the one making the decisions, but I’m trying to do my best to get the best result I can get. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman noted recently that it might benefit Dominguez to play every day—but that seems more likely in Triple-A unless injuries change things. Last season, Dominguez had a regular role for the Yankees early on but found his playing time decrease later as the team geared up for the playoffs.

Since then, the Yankees have doubled down on their outfield by signing Bellinger to a significant five-year deal and keeping Grisham on a qualifying offer. “First and foremost, JD is a really good player and had a good season in his first full season for a 22-year-old,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He has gained a lot of valuable experience. I think we have even more. He has a chance to be an outstanding player.” Boone added that they want to approach the situation carefully, emphasizing the importance of Dominguez’s work this spring.

Dominguez needs to shine in a couple of areas: his defense in left field and his performance batting right-handed. Last season, he faced some challenges—his defensive stats weren’t great, and his batting average significantly dipped when hitting from the right side.

This spring is another opportunity for him to showcase improvement. He played 11 games in the Dominican Winter League, which should help. Last season, he had 429 at-bats with a .257 average and a .719 OPS while stealing 23 bases. But in 2026, it looks like he’ll be competing hard for every at-bat.

“The reality is we have two guys,” Boone said, referring to Dominguez and Jones. He even mentioned Dominguez might be considered for the center field position. “In Jasson’s case, he’s already proven that to some degree.” Finding regular playing time in spring will be crucial for both players as they aim to polish their skills.

Jones, who is turning 25 in May, wrapped up last season strong, finishing in Triple-A and making it to the big leagues. He seems likely to start 2026 in Triple-A unless something unexpected happens, but he aims to make his presence known this spring.

“In my opinion, this is a great organization to play for,” Jones remarked. “Even if the opportunity comes later, I think there’s a good reason for it in that I’m trying to help my team win the World Series.”