TAMPA — Jasson Domínguez looked like the future, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs in Friday’s win over the Twins.
On Sunday, “The Martian” will be spotted again, starting against the Phillies in Clearwater.
But Saturday, general manager Brian Cashman brought the once-hyped prospect back to earth, reiterating the challenge that the 23-year-old outfielder still faces to make the major league roster.
“He’s taking his reps and trying to push himself in the mix,” Cashman said before the Yankees’ 5-1 win over the Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Clearly the everyday spot’s not there, with [Trent] Grisham and [Cody] Bellinger and [Aaron] Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton, currently. But you know how things change really quickly, so all he can do right now, him and [Spencer] Jones, as well as [Randal] Grichuk and anybody else, is put themselves in a position for us to take notice and we’ll evaluate what opportunities exist at the end of camp and make calls.
“Hopefully those calls will be tough ones to make.”
Despite a slash line of .417/.429/.833 through four spring training games, Domínguez’s narrow path back to The Bronx grew slimmer when the Yankees recently agreed to a minor league deal with Grichuk, a 12-year veteran who offers a far superior track record against lefty pitching.
Grichuk, who participated in his first workout with the Yankees on Saturday, has a .268 lifetime batting average against southpaws, while posting a .819 OPS.
Domínguez has only had 134 career plate appearances against lefties, but the switch-hitter has badly struggled from the right side, batting .176 with one home run and a .530 OPS.
Grichuk, who debuted with St. Louis in 2014, has 212 career home runs and a career .763 OPS.
“Just trying to provide some choices for us,” Cashman said of signing Grichuk. “Hopefully we’ll have tough decisions by the end of camp. That means everybody stayed healthy and performed at a high level and it makes those decisions difficult. That’s ultimately the goal. But obviously he has a history of hitting left-handers. We tried to acquire him at the deadline last year. He got popped from Colorado to Kansas City, so took another crack at him again this winter.”
Last year, Domínguez lost his starting job after being deemed too green to contribute to a title contender. This year, a 34-year-old on a minor league deal may provide more upside.
The future may have to wait.
“He’s been a pro,” said Cashman, describing how Domínguez has handled the situation. “I think he knows what’s in his control, which is performing, showing a commitment level on a day-in and day-out basis, and then letting the rest take care of itself. So he knows what’s in his control, which is that, and what’s not in his control, which is how the roster shakes out.
“I think Domínguez, Spencer Jones and anybody else is just looking to make a name for themselves and make sure people take notice of them. We’ll act accordingly.”
