PORT ST. LUCIE — Jasson Domínguez’s left field experiment has had decidedly mixed results, which is one reason he’s likely headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season.
But there has been some growth, as he showed Sunday in a 10-4 loss to the Mets at Clover Park.
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For a second straight game, Domínguez made a nice running catch, this time on a sinking liner from AJ Ewing in the bottom of the fifth, and Domínguez followed up with a solid throw to 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 in the gap, but neither he nor Aaron Boone thought he could have made it. “It was good to send this guy home.”
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This came after Boone said Domínguez, who has mostly struggled since moving from center to left, made poor decisions with his throws last week.
“He made some great pitches the last two days,” the manager said of the plays he made Sunday against the Mets and Saturday against Miami. “He plays a lot. He’s worked a lot. One of the best parts of this trip (to the east coast of Florida, with most of the regulars staying or participating in the World Baseball Classic) is we saw his athleticism.”
Jasson Domínguez’s left-field experiment has had decidedly mixed results. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
When he was going through the Yankees system, Domínguez was said to have an elite wing, but that wasn’t shown much.
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“I’ve always had a pretty good arm, but it doesn’t show as much,” Domínguez said. “My arm wasn’t the problem. Maybe I’m more aggressive now catching the ball and I’m in a better position to make throws. Compared to last year, I’m a lot more comfortable (on the left).
Boone said the team hasn’t “even really started discussions” about final roster spots.
“We’re going to continue to let this play out and let the guys get their reps,” the manager said Sunday.
They have decisions to make regarding the final weapons in the bullpen, as well as between perhaps a backup shortstop or a third catcher.
Ben Rice didn’t catch a game, but Boone noted he attended Carlos Rodón’s bullpen session Saturday.
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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 set to make his Grapefruit League debut Monday in Tampa, the Yankees will have a better idea of what the veteran outfielder can potentially bring to the table after signing with the team to a minor league deal.
“That’s what the next two weeks will be about,” Boone said of the decision-making process.
A highlight during live batting practice at Steinbrenner Field: Ocean Gabonia.
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The right-handed 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, took punches from Stanton and Bellinger as he left the field.
Cade Winquest gave up a run on a walk and a hit while trying 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 for the entire season. “They recruited me for a reason and I can just do what I do.”
He allowed one run on a walk and a hit in two thirds of an inning Sunday.
— Additional reporting by Mark W. Sanchez in Tampa
