Yankees Say Decision Looms as Jasson Domínguez Could Begin in Triple-A

The Yankees are publicly admitting a decision looms over Jasson Domínguez’s 2026 assignment as spring training approaches, with front-office and beat reporting pointing toward a likely Triple-A start even as club officials stress the matter remains open.

General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the team considered optioning Domínguez to Triple-A late in 2025 but decided at the time to keep him in New York. “He wasn’t playing. I could have sent him to Triple‑A,” Cashman said, adding that Domínguez’s speed and bench utility alongside José Caballero influenced the choice. “I didn’t think that was right to do, either. He provided the chance for us to run into something off the bench, especially with his speed to go along with [José] Caballero. But I still think there’s some upside there.”

That upside is the heart of the debate. Media reporting has circulated a strong prediction from Jon Heyman that “Barring something unforeseen (an injury perhaps?), Jasson Domínguez looks to be ticketed for Triple‑A Scranton Wilkes‑Barre.” A YankeesGoYard on-air fragment amplified the line, saying, “That’s also what he said on my show, Jon, at 2 pm. Thanks for clearing it up. Not sure what people hear when they listen.” At the same time manager Aaron Boone framed the situation as unresolved: “The reality is, we have a lot of really good players. Jasson and Spencer are part of that.” Boone added, “We have a long time to go… You never know what’s going to come down the pike.”

The roster math helps explain the urgency. Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham currently occupy the starting outfield jobs after Bellinger signed a five‑year, $162.5 million contract in January and Grisham accepted the qualifying offer, stabilizing center field. That leaves a fourth outfield role or a Triple‑A assignment for a 23‑year‑old Domínguez, who in 2025 hit .257/.331/.388 across 123 games with 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 47 RBI and 23 stolen bases, all while playing left field defensively. Spencer Jones, who turns 25 in May, remains a factor for playing time and defensive stability in left field.

The larger conversation mixes player development, fan expectations and roster economics. Domínguez’s prospect aura — he homered in his first major league at-bat off Justin Verlander but then saw his 2023 debut cut short after eight games by Tommy John surgery — fuels passionate fan reaction when demotion talk surfaces. Social channels have reacted sharply, with fans accusing the Yankees of mishandling a high-profile prospect. Analysts and opinion pieces argue both for regular Triple‑A at-bats to sharpen hitting and defense and for retaining a controllable, switch-hitting young player who provides speed and depth.

For the Yankees, the decision has business implications beyond one roster slot: how the club balances service time, payroll flexibility and winning urgency in a season where expectations remain high. For Domínguez, the choice will shape his development path — whether he gets everyday reps in Scranton/Wilkes‑Barre or limited big-league plate appearances.

Spring training will determine benchmarks and usage patterns. The club says the conversation will continue, leaving fans and front-office strategists to watch how Domínguez performs in camp and whether an unforeseen event alters the calculus.