PORT ST. LUCIE — The Jasson Domínguez left field experiment has had decidedly mixed results, which is among the reasons he’s likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season.
But there has been some growth, as he displayed Sunday in a 10-4 loss to the Mets at Clover Park.
For a second straight game, Domínguez made a nice running catch, this time on a sinking liner by A.J. Ewing in the bottom of the fifth, and Domínguez followed it up with a strong throw home, where he threw out Vidal Bruján.
“It was a busy afternoon out there,” said Domínguez, who also had a ball hit by Tyrone Taylor get by him in the gap, but neither he nor Aaron Boone thought he could have gotten to it. “It was good to throw the guy out at home.”
It came after Boone said Domínguez, who has struggled for the most part since shifting from center to left, made some poor decisions with his throws last week.
“He’s made excellent throws the last two days,” the manager said of the plays he made Sunday against the Mets and Saturday versus Miami. “He’s playing a lot. He’s worked a lot. One of the best parts about this trip [to the east coast of Florida, with most regulars staying back or in the World Baseball Classic] is that we saw his athleticism.”
When he was coming through the Yankees system, Domínguez was said to have an elite arm, but that has not been on display much.
“I’ve always had a pretty good arm, it just hasn’t shown as much,’’ Domínguez said. “My arm wasn’t the problem. Maybe I’m more aggressive now getting to the ball and am in better position to make throws. Compared to last year, I’m a lot more comfortable [in left].”
Boone said the team hasn’t “even really begun discussions” on the final roster spots.
“We’ll continue to let that play out and let guys get their reps,” the manager said Sunday.
They’ve got decisions to make regarding the last arms in the bullpen, as well as deciding between perhaps a backup shortstop or third catcher.
Ben Rice hasn’t caught in a game, but Boone noted that he caught Carlos Rodón’s bullpen session Saturday.
With Anthony Volpe sidelined and José Caballero expected to start at shortstop, Boone said the backup shortstop situation is “up in the air.”
Boone didn’t rule out Ryan McMahon playing there in the future or going with a “super-utility” player for the final roster spot.
And with Randal Grichuk expected to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday in Tampa, the Yankees will get a better read on what the veteran outfielder can potentially contribute after signing with the team on a minor league deal.
“That’s what the next two-plus weeks will be about,” Boone said of the decision-making process.
One standout during a live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field: Ocean Gabonia.
The righty reliever from Hawaii completed two “ups,” allowed no hard contact and struck out Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger consecutively.
The 24-year-old, who pitched to a 3.27 ERA in 31 games with High-A Hudson Valley last year, received fist bumps from Stanton and Bellinger walking off the field.
Cade Winquest gave up a run on a walk and a hit as he tries to make the team as a Rule 5 pick.
“There’s definitely some pressure,” said the right-hander, who will be sent back to the Cardinals if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster and stay there the entire season. “They drafted me for a reason and I can just do what I do.”
He allowed a run on a walk and a hit in two-thirds of an inning Sunday.
— Additional reporting by Mark W. Sanchez in Tampa
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
