With Jasson Domínguez sitting in opposition to right-handed Padres starter Nick Pivetta on Monday evening, Aaron Boone was requested how he decides on the Yankees’ beginning outfield every day.
“It’s Brad [Ausmus] and I getting together every night,” the Yankees supervisor replied. “We’ll take a look at the week forward. The one factor that’s not good is that a number of them are lefty vs. the righty. So there’s not simply the apparent ‘this guy here.’ So that you’re simply attempting to steadiness, as finest you may, a little bit little bit of the matchup factor, whereas additionally retaining guys recent and related, whereas additionally rewarding the fellows which are actually taking part in at a excessive stage.
“So it’s a little bit of a puzzle. It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but a challenge because of a good thing, because guys are performing and deserve to play. So just the best we can, just try and keep guys sharp and available.”
The Yankees have 4 outfielders who’re able to being on a regular basis gamers in Domínguez, Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Decide. Decide, one of the best hitter on the planet proper now, has performed in each one of many Yankees’ video games up up to now, although the suitable fielder has served as a DH, too.
Grisham, a proficient defender in heart, has gone from being barely utilized in 2024 to a near-everyday participant in 2025. He’s earned that, as he took a .979 OPS into Monday’s recreation.
Then there’s Bellinger and Domínguez, who can each play left discipline. The previous has struggled thus far on the plate, whereas the latter turns a lot of flyballs into adventures.
Nevertheless, Domínguez is hitting .312/.382/.475 in opposition to righties this season, which led some to surprise why he wasn’t in Monday’s lineup as an alternative of Bellinger, who was hitting .200/.276/.364 total. Monday wasn’t the primary time Bellinger obtained the nod over Domínguez in opposition to a righty, both. That’s left some to query the Yankees’ utilization of the still-developing, 22-year-old Domínguez regardless of his defensive deficiencies, which had been on show in Sunday’s loss to the Rays.
Domínguez has accounted for -4 Outs Above Common this season, whereas Bellinger – who can play all three outfield spots – has zero in left and one total.
With rain falling and visibility poor, the veteran made a strong sliding catch within the first inning of Monday’s recreation.
May LeMahieu Return Quickly?
Requested what number of extra rehab video games he’ll play in, DJ LeMahieu mentioned, “I don’t know,” earlier than including, “Not too many more.”
The infielder deliberate on taking part in at Triple-A on Tuesday. He added that his proper hip is feeling good after not too long ago receiving a preemptive cortisone shot.
Boone didn’t have definitive plans in place for the remainder of LeMahieu’s week, however the supervisor mentioned “it’s possible” the veteran joins the Yankees for his or her upcoming West Coast journey.
Boone additionally mentioned second base is “more in play” than third base when LeMahieu returns, as Jazz Chisholm Jr. out with an indirect pressure.
Volpe Again In The Lineup
Anthony Volpe returned to the Yankees’ lineup on Monday. He missed Sunday’s recreation after hurting his shoulder on Saturday, however an X-ray and an MRI yielded encouraging outcomes.
Boone mentioned he felt comfy placing Volpe again within the lineup after the shortstop, trainers and a health care provider weighed in.“I feel like we dodged something there,” Boone mentioned, however the Yankees will proceed to observe Volpe.
Stroman’s Subsequent Step
Marcus Stroman (knee) was scheduled for a bullpen session on Monday. If all went nicely, Boone mentioned he anticipated the righty to face stay hitters later within the week.
One other Boone Teaching
Boone isn’t the one lively member of his household within the teaching ranks now, as his brother, Bret, was named the Rangers’ new hitting coach on Monday.
A primary-time coach, Bret performed for the Mariners, Reds, Braves, Padres and Twins from 1992-2005. He was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger.
