May 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) makes a catch against the wall on a fly ball by Texas Rangers designated hitter Brandon Nimmo (not pictured) during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Dominguez was injured on the play and taken out of the game. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jasson Dominguez simply cannot catch a break, and it was his improving defense that seems to have done him in this time around.
The 23-year-old made a leaping catch on a Brandon Nimmo line drive in the first inning of Thursday’s matinee against the Texas Rangers, but crashed into the left-field fence with heavy contact to his head and shoulder.
Dominguez lay stomach-down on the warning track at Yankee Stadium for several moments while the training staff rushed out onto the field. He eventually got on his feet and got his neck and shoulder checked out before he was carted off the field.
He was visibly upset, wiping tears from his eyes, as he sat on the back of the cart. Injury issues have plagued Dominguez for years, most notably a torn UCL in his elbow that held him out for the majority of the 2024 season.
Finally able to emerge from spring training healthy this year, he started out in Triple-A, and ultimately got the call back up to the majors last week when Giancarlo Stanton landed on the injured list with a calf strain.
Dominguez had a home run with two doubles and four RBI in his first eight games with the Yankees.
Upon his exit, Cody Bellinger shifted from right field to left field, Amed Rosario moved from third base out to right, and Ryan McMahon entered the game at the hot corner.
Defense had been a major question mark in Dominguez’s game while developing within the Yankees’ system, and it was considered his weakest aspect. But considerable improvements were apparent, and the catch that ultimately led to this injury was proof that it was taking steps forward.
“I think he’s continued to get a little bit better all the time,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Dominguez’s defense on Thursday morning (h/t MLB.com). “He’s still got a ways to go there to reach his potential out there, because he is so athletic. But he has worked hard at it, and I feel like he definitely has continued to move the needle.”
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