The New York Yankees are treating the upcoming summer trade deadline as a strategic opportunity to reintegrate several key players who are on the mend from injuries. Clarke Schmidt is expected to return from a right lat strain, Gerrit Cole is nearing the start of his rehab games, and several bullpen arms are progressing toward recovery.
Although the Yankees could make moves to bolster their roster, the synchronization of their injured players’ return with the trade deadline offers a natural enhancement to their team strength.
Among the talents making a comeback is star outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez. Last season, Dominguez showcased his potential in an eight-game stint with the Yankees during a period when they were out of playoff contention. He made a notable impact, batting .258/.303/.677, including four home runs and seven RBIs, and earning a 162 wRC+.
Remarkably, one of his home runs came off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. Unfortunately, Dominguez had to undergo Tommy John surgery, which cut short his promising start despite playing through an existing elbow injury.
Dominguez’s Progress and Potential Impact on the Yankees
On the bright side, Dominguez has made significant progress in his rehabilitation. He has participated in 11 minor league games, excelling in his short stint with Single-A Tampa by hitting .385/.529/.462. In his subsequent seven games with Double-A Somerset, he maintained solid performance with a .286/.310/.500 batting line, which included two homers and four RBIs, resulting in a 127 wRC+.
While the Yankees don’t currently need Dominguez to step into a starting role immediately, his availability provides valuable depth, given the frequent occurrence of injuries.
Once he completes his rehab, Dominguez is expected to move up to Triple-A, positioning him for a potential call-up in the second half of the season to provide additional depth, particularly if the need arises. Currently, the outfield is robustly manned by Alex Verdugo, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge. Unless Dominguez slots into the designated hitter role—potentially due to Giancarlo Stanton’s struggles—his immediate role on the team might be limited.
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Nevertheless, the Yankees are well-prepared for future contingencies, keeping Dominguez ready for when an opportunity arises, potentially in 2025, when he is expected to assume a starting position. With Verdugo likely departing and efforts to secure a blockbuster deal to extend Soto, the prospective outfield comprising Soto, Judge, and Dominguez, along with the emerging talent of Spencer Jones, promises to be exceptionally formidable.