TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez has heard the talk.
A year ago, he arrived at spring training with the starting left field job his to lose.
On Sunday, he reported to Yankees camp as the fourth outfielder, with a possible trip to Triple-A waiting at the end of the spring if everyone stays healthy.
In a span of 365 days, his role has become much less certain.
“This is baseball, a lot of things can happen,” Domínguez said Sunday. “At the end of the day, depending on the situation, they got to do what’s best for the team. Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for it.”
The reality is that it would take just one injury from the projected starting outfield of Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge, or to DH Giancarlo Stanton, for Domínguez to be thrust back into the picture.
The same goes for Spencer Jones, the top Yankees outfield prospect, whose path to the big leagues is currently blocked.
But in the meantime, entering the first full-squad workout Monday, the 23-year-old Domínguez may be fighting an uphill battle to actually break camp with the big league club.
“That’s one thing I can’t control,” he said. “I don’t make the decisions. But I’m trying to do my best to get the best results that I can get. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”
General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged Friday that it would be in Domínguez’s best interest to be playing every day, which is likely only to happen at Triple-A barring an injury.
After playing an everyday role for the Yankees during the first few months of last season, Domínguez began to get squeezed out of playing time down the stretch once they were fully healthy and in the playoff chase.
Since then, the Yankees have only become more financially invested in the two outfielders in Domínguez’s way, Bellinger (who re-signed on a five-year, $162.5 million contract) and Grisham (who accepted the $22.025 million qualifying offer).
“First and foremost, JD’s a really good player that had a good season for a 22-year-old in his first full year,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He gained a lot of valuable experience. We think there’s a lot more in there, too. I think he has a chance to be an outstanding player. We’ll let things shake out. We have a long way to go between now and Opening Day. The biggest thing is he’s here to work, here to get better. When decisions come our way, we’ll make them the best we can.”
The best thing that Domínguez can do this spring is force the Yankees into a difficult decision, which could happen if he shows he has made gains in two clear areas: defensively in left field and offensively from the right side of the plate.
The switch-hitter struggled with the former, recording minus-seven defensive runs saved after a rocky transition from center to left, and the latter, his OPS nearly 200 points lower from the right side compared to the left.
Improving at both was an offseason focus for Domínguez, who played 11 games in the Dominican Winter League and now will have another proving ground this spring to show how much progress he has actually made.
He is coming off a season in which he had 429 big league plate appearances (hitting .257 with a .719 OPS and 23 steals), but will have to fight for every one he gets in 2026.
“The reality is we have two guys [Domínguez and Jones] that we think are very capable of being really good major league players,” said Boone, who added he might get Domínguez some work in center field as well. “In Jasson’s case, he’s already proven that to some degree. So this spring’s important for them to get regular playing time and continue to hone their craft.”
Jones, who will turn 25 in May, put himself on the doorstep of the big leagues with a strong season last year, finishing it at Triple-A.
The center fielder will likely be headed back there to start 2026, barring a surprise, but has the chance to make even more noise this spring while waiting for his shot.
“In my mind, this is the best organization to play for,” Jones said. “If the opportunities come later, I think it’s for good reason in that we’re trying to help the team win the World Series.”
