The New York Yankees suffered a crushing 18-2 defeat against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, marking a continuation of their struggles against the 2024 World Series champions. The highly anticipated weekend series, a rematch of last October’s Fall Classic where the Dodgers triumphed in five games, has seen Los Angeles dominate once again. After taking the series opener 8-5, the Dodgers delivered a humiliating blowout in the second game, exposing vulnerabilities in the Yankees’ lineup.
Adding to New York’s woes, the team faces a setback in their organizational depth with the departure of a key minor league player. On Sunday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that former New York Mets star Dominic Smith has exercised his opt-out clause, making him a free agent. Signed to a minor league contract before the season, Smith did not secure a spot on the Yankees’ MLB roster during Spring Training but has been a standout performer with Triple-A Scranton. In 45 games, Smith posted a .782 OPS, eight home runs, and 28 RBIs, showing glimpses of the form that led to his .992 OPS in the shortened 2020 season.
Veteran 1B/OF Dom Smith is exercising his out clause with the New York Yankees, a source tells ESPN. Smith has been at AAA and had a big May, hitting .317/.389/.622 with seven home runs. He is now a free agent.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 1, 2025
While the Yankees boast the second-best team OPS (.812) in baseball entering Sunday, Smith’s exit stings as injuries have already tested their depth this season. His recent production suggests he believes an opportunity awaits elsewhere, leaving New York to navigate the loss of a potential call-up option. The Yankees have recalled Carlos Carrasco ahead of Sunday’s game, but another Triple-A prospect is no longer available, further complicating their response to the Dodgers’ dominance.
As New York looks to salvage the series finale, the combination of Saturday’s blowout and Smith’s departure underscores a turbulent moment for the storied franchise.