The New York Yankees have recalled rising star Jasson Domínguez while placing DJ LeMahieu on the 10-day injured list due to a persistent hip issue. This strategic move comes as the Yankees aim to bolster their roster amidst LeMahieu’s ongoing struggles.
LeMahieu, who is dealing with a right hip impingement, may not return this season, according to manager Aaron Boone. “It’s been something that’s been kind of lingering on him the last couple of weeks. He’s been getting treatment on it,” Boone explained. “It’s kind of better some days, worse the others.”
At 36 years old, LeMahieu has had a challenging season, currently batting .204 with two home runs and 26 RBIs over 67 games. He previously missed the Yankees’ first 55 games due to a slow-healing fracture in his right foot.
Last season, LeMahieu posted a .243 batting average with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 136 games. His performance has dipped to .231 since winning his second batting title during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Boone expressed his admiration for LeMahieu, stating, “I’ve been a huge fan ever since I met him. Just love his makeup, his talent and he’s earned this opportunity.”
Domínguez, who was not initially called up when the rosters expanded to 28 players on September 1, will also see action in left field. He has played there once with the Yankees and has experience in 58 minor league games.
The young prospect joins the Yankees just days after General Manager Brian Cashman announced the team’s decision to stick with Alex Verdugo in left field. Verdugo’s current stats show a .235 batting average with 11 home runs and 56 RBIs in 137 games, including a recent surge with a .302 average over his last 12 games.
Domínguez made his season debut last month, going 0 for 4 as New York’s 27th man against the Detroit Tigers during the Little League Classic. The 21-year-old has shown promise, batting .314 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs across three minor league levels this season.
After signing for a $5.1 million bonus as a 16-year-old in 2019, Domínguez had a brief stint with the Yankees, hitting .258 with four home runs and seven RBIs in eight games from September 1-9, 2023, before facing injury setbacks, including a torn ligament in his throwing elbow and an oblique strain.
Since his return from the oblique injury on July 26, Domínguez has been impressive, boasting a .309 batting average with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 44 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Boone commented on Domínguez’s progress, stating, “Like I said on September 1 when we didn’t initially recall Jasson, he’s in the conversation every single day. He’s been knocking on that door since he came back, and now seemed like the time to bring him.”
In other roster moves, utility player Jon Berti has been activated from the injured list after missing 90 games due to a left calf strain. Berti, acquired from the Miami Marlins in a spring training trade, had a solid start with a .273 batting average, one home run, and six RBIs in 17 games before his injury.
Additionally, the Yankees have designated reliever Anthony Misiewicz for assignment. Misiewicz made a single appearance for New York this season and had a record of 3-2 with a 3.33 ERA in 44 games for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
