Instead, the Yankees recalled Duke Ellis, a 26-year-old speedster they claimed off waivers from the Mariners last week.
Dominguez stays at Triple-A during a season that was delayed by his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He also suffered an oblique strain that kept him from playing for more than a month.
Jasson Dominguez is pictured during a September 2023 game. Getty Images
Aaron Boone reiterated Sunday that Dominguez was “certainly in the conversation” to be called up.
“He will remain in the conversation moving forward,’’ Boone said. “When he comes up here, we’re gonna want to play him every day, so he’ll continue to remain in the conversation. We feel like the past couple weeks, he’s starting to play well, coming back from the oblique injury. It was a tough call right now, but that doesn’t mean that doesn’t change in a couple days [or] two weeks, but it’s important for him to continue to play right now.”
In Dominguez’s last 15 games with SWB, sandwiched around his one-game call-up to the Yankees on Aug. 18, the outfielder is 23-for-60 with six extra-base hits.
The one-game appearance with the Yankees against the Tigers in Williamsport, Pa., didn’t go well. Dominguez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and made a poor play in left field that helped cost them the game.
The 22-year-old can still be called up at any time and be eligible for the postseason, but for now, the Yankees are choosing to stick with the slumping Alex Verdugo in left.
Verdugo entered Sunday 9-for-26 with two extra-base hits in his previous seven games, but his slump extends back to June 15, as he has just a .539 OPS since then.
Duke Ellis, pictured during a June game with the White Sox, was called up by the Yankees on Sept. 1. AP
Boone said Verdugo’s at-bats have been “better” of late.
“Hopefully it gets him going,’’ Boone said. “He’s capable. I do think he’s been a little unlucky this year.”
Both Verdugo and Dominguez have struggled against lefties this season, but the switch-hitting Dominguez has a .958 OPS versus righties in the minors this year.
General manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network on Aug. 11 there was “currently no lane for us to bring him. It’s nice to know he’s there. He’s just knocking rust off and waiting for his opportunity if it comes.”
Ellis has played in eight games in the majors — all this season with the White Sox — primarily as a pinch runner.
“He’s just a great runner and with the extra [roster] spot, pick your spot,’’ Boone said of using Ellis as a pinch runner. “He can really defend in the outfield, so it added a little flexibility to the roster.”
Ellis has bounced around the minors this season, going from the White Sox system to the Mets and then Seattle on waivers.
The Yankees also recalled right-hander Scott Effross, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery in 2022, and Ron Marinaccio.
To make room on the roster, the club optioned first baseman Ben Rice and right-hander Will Warren to SWB and designated lefty Josh Maciejewski for assignment.
For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local Bronx, NY
Most Popular
Comments / 0