MINNEAPOLIS — Jasson Dominguez has one rehab game left, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
And even if his 20-day rehab period expires, the Yankees outfielder may still need some time to continue his full strength in the minors after missing all spring training while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. unknown.
As long as the Yankees’ outfield remains healthy, the 21-year-old Dominguez will likely be optioned to the minors anyway once his rehab period is complete.
But manager Aaron Boone suggested Wednesday that Dominguez will need the equivalent of full spring training before the Yankees reach a stage where he can reach his potential: “That means playing for about a month and getting stronger. That means we will,” he said. decision for him.
Dominguez played his first rehab game against Single-A Tampa on Tuesday, going 3-for-3 with one hit and one walk as a DH.
Dominguez, who played in Wednesday’s game, is scheduled to play DH for the first two weeks before playing in the outfield, and will likely play only a few games before his 20-day rehab period is up.
Dominguez told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that he was throwing up to 150 feet along the way.
“It’s his first day of spring training games,” Boone said before the Yankees’ 4-0 win over the Twins at Target Field. “Let’s get him out of the way right now, get him right, get him playing, get him regular, and then hopefully 10 days from now, two weeks from now, when we’re putting him in a game. , you can see what kind of situation we’re in.” We’re going to start really beefing up his defense in the outfield.
“Then if you have to make a decision, of course you will. But still, it’s a long way off.”
There was a brief hold until the Yankees challenged a first base call in the bottom of the third inning.
Boone consulted with bench coach Brad Ausmus and was called into the video room for a decision on whether to challenge.
But the phone was off.
“Then he hung up and when he picked up the phone again, it was a busy signal,” Boone said. “Maybe someone was trying to get through, I don’t know.”
Boone appeared to run out of allotted time to request the challenge, but when he explained the situation to the referees, they allowed it, and the call was ultimately overturned.
Tommy Kahnle’s next biggest test comes Thursday. At that time, he will take a day off for the first time and pitch in a rehabilitation game.
The relief pitcher said over the weekend that he’s always been a “second-day sore guy.” That means he’s less of a problem pitching back-to-back than pitching with a day off. So this will be a good challenge for the shoulders.
If Thursday’s appearance goes well, Kahnle could pitch his fifth game on Sunday (again against Double-A Somerset) and then rejoin the Yankees.
“Maybe sometime in the Seattle series.” [which goes Monday through Thursday]but let’s see how [Thursday] go and how [Sunday] If we need something different, we’ll go check the situation,” Boone said.
So far, Kahnle has six strikeouts in three rehab efforts and has not allowed a runner in three innings.
DJ LeMahieu (non-displaced foot fracture) is progressing well and is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Thursday or Friday. …Gerrit Cole (elbow neuritis) is expected to pitch another bullpen session on Saturday, and may be able to throw two “ups” then. … DJ LeMahieu (non-displaced foot fracture) is doing well and is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Thursday or Friday.
WFAN will be featuring a variety of voices at the Yankees booth this weekend.
With Sugin Waldman taking time off from the series against the White Sox (ahead of a 10-day West Coast trip next week), WFAN host Keith McPherson will be in the booth with play-by-play man Justin Shakil on Friday and Saturday.
YES Network clubhouse reporter Meredith Marakovitz will join Shakir in the booth for Sunday’s final game of the series.
