Yankees Rookie Outfielder's Role In Flux With Giancarlo Stanton's Return and Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 3:40 PM ET

With Giancarlo Stanton officially activated, the Yankees’ lineup just got a little more crowded. And rookie Jasson Dominguez is the one most likely to feel the squeeze.

According to USA Today Network’s Pete Caldera, Aaron Boone is considering Dominguez for the leadoff spot— but only against right-handers. The numbers make it an easy call. Dominguez is holding his own from the left side, batting .269 with a .353 OBP. But from the right side? He’s hitting .172 with a .472 OPS. That’s not a platoon split. That’s a “don’t ask him to do that” situation.

With Stanton back in the DH slot, at-bats get tighter. On days when Dominguez does start, especially against righties, it likely means Trent Grisham is on the bench and Cody Bellinger shifts to center. Dominguez isn’t out of the picture, but the matchups just became his calendar.

And speaking of questionable timing—Dominguez didn’t do himself any favors over the weekend. On Saturday in Boston, he made a rookie mistake that was both costly and avoidable. With two outs and runners on, he wandered off second base thinking Grisham had struck out. He hadn’t. Dominguez was picked off to end the inning. It was the kind of mistake that makes a manager rewatch spring training footage and sigh deeply.

Boone’s not giving up on him. But this is where development meets accountability. Dominguez is still part of the plan—but now, it’s a conditional plan. Hit righties. Play clean. Don’t give games away.

The Yankees don’t need him to be perfect. They just need him to be present—and productive—when his number’s called.

The tools are there. The leash? A little shorter this week.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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