Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the Yankees had been “holding our breath” on the status of Jasson Domínguez, but they can seemingly exhale.
After Domínguez was drilled in the left elbow Wednesday and initial X-rays were inconclusive, further imaging came back clean, Boone said.
Domínguez was not in Friday’s starting lineup but Boone hoped he would be available off the bench.
“He was much improved [Thursday], much improved today,” Boone said before beginning a series with the Orioles in The Bronx. “He’ll go through pregame today, do all his baseball activities and see where we’re at.”
Domínguez left the series finale in Arlington in the fourth inning in just his third game of the season after being called up to replace the sidelined Giancarlo Stanton.
Domínguez, who had been performing well with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, went 1-for-9 before the hit-by-pitch knocked him from the game.
The 23-year-old was only briefly in the clubhouse before Friday’s game, grabbing a glove and running to the field to get some work without showing any issues with his elbow.
Without Domínguez, the Yankees started their usual outfield while Paul Goldschmidt played first base and Ben Rice DH’d against lefty Cade Povich.
Stanton (right calf strain) may be able to start hitting again this weekend, Boone said.
But the slugger has not yet begun running, and “there’s nothing imminent there,” Boone added.
It is possible Carlos Rodón requires just one more minor league start before returning to the majors, Boone said.
Rodón made his second rehab start Thursday, when he threw 76 pitches with Double-A Somerset. The lefty allowed one run on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts in 5 ¹/₃ innings.
“I thought he looked really good,” Boone said. “It’s encouraging, certainly, what we’re seeing. Feel like he’s about ready.”
Rodón is set to pitch with SWB on Tuesday, the same day Gerrit Cole is set to pitch for High-A Hudson Valley.
Boone on his friend and former bench coach Carlos Mendoza, whose job as Mets manager hung in doubt before receiving a vote of confidence Friday:
“[The Mets are] going through a tough time, but I think Mendy’s great at what he does. As much as you can be equipped to handle everything that’s going on with them, he certainly is. I know he’ll be fine.”
Randal Grichuk, who was designated for assignment earlier this week, elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to SWB.
Veteran infielder Paul DeJong, who posted an .877 OPS in 23 games with SWB, opted out of his minor league deal and became a free agent.
