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CLEARWATER, Fla. — For as much attention as Jasson Domínguez’s adjustment to left field has gotten this spring, he had yet to do much with his bat through the first week-plus of games.
That changed on Tuesday.
Domínguez crushed his first home run of the spring and also flashed his speed in beating out an infield single as the Yankees beat the Phillies 12-3 at BayCare Ballpark.
“Feels good to get that first one,” Domínguez said. “Getting more comfortable with every at-bat.”
The Yankees are banking on Domínguez earning the left field job this spring, but first he will have to prove he can handle left field defensively.
His bat also has the potential to be a wild card in the lineup, though he didn’t show it often enough during his call-up late last season, when he hit .179 with a .617 OPS and two home runs.
The switch-hitting Domínguez, who is stronger from the left side, is 0-for-4 so far this spring as a right-handed hitter.
But his homer on Tuesday came from the left side, as he took an outside curveball the other way 385 feet.
“I feel if I have a good swing, I can get it out anywhere,” Domínguez said. “I feel good about my swing from both sides. The first thing is for me to stay healthy this year and then my goal is to perform like people expect me to perform.”
Clayton Beeter, who entered camp slightly behind because of a shoulder issue, has been throwing bullpen sessions but has not yet faced hitters. The Yankees have converted him to a reliever, but he does not figure to be a candidate to make the bullpen out of camp because of the slow start to his spring.
“He’s moving a little slower, but making some progress,” manager Aaron Boone said.
Spencer Jones went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, including his second home run of the spring, falling a triple short of the cycle. … Paul Goldschmidt clubbed his first home run of the spring.
Roger Clemens, in Yankees camp as a guest instructor, made the trip Tuesday and brought out the lineup card to home plate, with his son Kody doing the same for the Phillies. Kody later played the final three innings of the game at second base.
Jorbit Vivas made his spring debut Tuesday, starting at second base, after being slowed early by a shoulder issue. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
— Additional reporting by Dan Martin
