The New York Yankees are grappling with a lineup crunch as Giancarlo Stanton nears the end of his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset and prepares to rejoin the team. With an abundance of offensive talent, the club faces tough decisions, and rookie left fielder Jasson Domínguez could find himself on the sidelines.
The Yankees currently boast 11 players with a wRC+ of 100 or better (with at least 60 plate appearances), including Domínguez. The 22-year-old switch-hitter has been productive, posting a .240/.333/.393 slash line with six home runs, 25 RBIs, eight stolen bases, and a 107 wRC+ over 213 plate appearances. However, his recent performance has been lackluster. Since May 25, over 11 games and 42 plate appearances, Domínguez has struggled with a .216/.286/.243 line, no home runs, and a dismal 52 wRC+.
Stanton’s return will further complicate matters, particularly for Domínguez’s role as a designated hitter, which he’s filled only eight times this season. With premier bats like Ben Rice also vying for at-bats, the Yankees will need to get creative, but Domínguez’s playing time may take a hit. His .802 OPS against right-handed pitchers outshines his .577 OPS against left-handers, but platoon options like Trent Grisham and Cody Bellinger limit his opportunities.
Grisham thrives against right-handers with a .945 OPS but struggles against lefties (.587 OPS). Bellinger, meanwhile, shows reverse splits this season (.945 OPS vs. left-handers, .710 vs. righties), though his career trends favor right-handed pitching. Neither player is an ideal platoon partner for Domínguez, reducing his chances of splitting reps.
Defensively, Domínguez has been a liability, posting -4 Defensive Runs Saved and -5 Outs Above Average, making him the team’s weakest outfielder. While he’s likely to start occasionally against right-handed pitchers, his defensive struggles and cold bat could lead to a reduced role.
Domínguez’s future remains bright, and his current slump is likely temporary. However, with the Yankees’ stacked lineup and Stanton’s imminent return, the rookie phenom may see less action in the near term.