Jasson Dominguez Embraces 2026 Challenge as Yankees Chart a Different Course
The Yankees haven’t made anything official, but Brian Cashman’s recent comments told us plenty. When it comes to Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, the odds of either making the Opening Day roster are slim. The writing’s on the wall, and for Dominguez, it’s another twist in a journey that’s already had its share of highs and hard lessons.
Just a couple of years ago, Dominguez exploded onto the scene in 2023, offering a rare spark in what was otherwise a forgettable season in the Bronx. But that momentum was halted almost immediately - Tommy John surgery that offseason forced the Yankees to pivot, and by the time he was ready to return in 2024, the outfield picture had changed.
Fast forward to 2025, and Dominguez earned a shot. He broke camp with the big league club and opened the season as the starting left fielder.
The Yankees had Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham handling center field duties, so Dominguez was tasked with locking down left. But the results didn’t match the expectations.
His defense struggled, and the bat - while not completely absent - wasn’t enough to keep him in the everyday lineup, especially with veterans producing at a higher clip.
As the season wore on, his role diminished. By September, he was barely seeing the field. And with both Bellinger and Grisham returning for 2026, the same questions resurfaced: What now for Dominguez?
The options are clear, if not ideal. A trade?
Possible, but his value isn’t exactly at a peak. A fourth outfielder role?
Maybe, but that doesn’t offer the consistent at-bats a developing player needs. Most likely, he’s headed to Triple-A Scranton to get regular reps and continue refining his game - especially his defense and approach against right-handed pitching.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who once carried the weight of “franchise savior” expectations. But here’s the thing: Dominguez isn’t sulking.
He’s not making excuses. If anything, he’s embracing the challenge ahead.
When asked about the offseason chatter and Cashman’s comments suggesting the minors might be the best place for him to get everyday work, Dominguez responded with the kind of maturity you want to see from a young player. “I feel good,” he said at spring training. “Obviously, I hear all of that, but I try not to focus on that…”
That’s the mindset of someone who still believes in his own trajectory - and wants to prove he belongs.
Let’s be real: the “Martian” nickname and the otherworldly hype that followed Dominguez through the minors may never fully materialize at the MLB level. He’s likely not going to be the next Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson - those guys have already staked their claim as cornerstone players.
But Dominguez just turned 23. His story is still being written.
There’s still a very real path back to the Bronx. A strong spring could force the Yankees to reconsider.
An injury to one of the veterans could open the door. And if he heads to Triple-A and starts raking while tightening up his defense, the call-up could come sooner than later.
The opportunity may not be there on Opening Day, but over the course of a 162-game season, things change fast.
And when that moment comes, Dominguez needs to be ready to grab it and not let go.
For now, the focus is on growth - not hype, not comparisons, not past expectations. Dominguez has 429 big league plate appearances under his belt, and while 2025 didn’t go as planned, there were flashes of what made him such a tantalizing prospect in the first place.
The tools are still there. The athleticism, the power potential, the switch-hitting upside - it’s all intact.
What he needs now is time, reps, and the chance to put it all together without the weight of being “the next great Yankee.”
Dominguez doesn’t need to be a superstar today. He just needs to keep moving forward. And based on how he’s handling this latest challenge, he’s doing just that.
The Yankees might not be counting on him right now, but if he keeps grinding, they might not have a choice for long.