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<\/p>\n\ud83d\udea8As the New York Yankees approach Opening Day in just two weeks, manager Aaron Boone is still left pondering key roster decisions. With a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team\u2019s bench and bullpen, one situation seems to be solidifying: Jasson Dom\u00ednguez\u2019s role for the start of the 2026 season. Here\u2019s a closer look at the team\u2019s questions and how Dom\u00ednguez is adapting his game. \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n
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Boone\u2019s Uncertainty About the Yankees\u2019 Final Roster Spots<\/strong> The bullpen, in particular, has been a fluid situation, with Boone confirming that two spots remain up for grabs. He noted that some pitchers have had mixed results during spring training, leaving the Yankees’ staff in need of further evaluation. While Boone acknowledged that there are still a lot of moving parts, he emphasized that the competition for roster spots is far from settled.<\/p>\n The Catching Situation: Rice\u2019s Transition to First Base<\/strong> The Yankees\u2019 Bench and Versatility<\/strong> The Bullpen\u2019s Final Spots: Tough Competition<\/strong> Jasson Dom\u00ednguez\u2019s Swing Change and Growth<\/strong> In Tuesday\u2019s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Dom\u00ednguez showed the results of his offseason work, crushing a solo home run off lefty Tanner Banks. Boone remains encouraged by Dom\u00ednguez\u2019s progress, noting that while he\u2019s still a better hitter from the left side, there\u2019s no reason to believe his right-handed swing won\u2019t improve with continued experience. Boone praised Dom\u00ednguez for his power and plate discipline from the right side, hinting that his ability to control the strike zone could lead to growth at the plate.<\/p>\n Luis Gil\u2019s Fastball Hope<\/strong> What\u2019s Next for the Yankees?<\/strong> \ud83d\udea8As the New York Yankees approach Opening Day in just two weeks, manager Aaron Boone is still left pondering key roster decisions. With a lot of uncertainty… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":162642,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-162641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
With the season fast approaching, Aaron Boone is still uncertain about some of the Yankees\u2019 roster spots. When asked about the bench, Boone admitted, \u201cI don\u2019t know how it\u2019s going to shake out.\u201d As the team gears up for Opening Day, questions remain about whether they will carry three catchers, who will fill out the bench, and which relievers will make the final cut.<\/p>\n
The Yankees are also grappling with their catching situation. Boone wasn\u2019t sure whether Ben Rice would catch any games this spring, especially since the Yankees are focusing on him transitioning to first base. Rice has been taking reps as the everyday first baseman\u2014a new role for him\u2014and the team is prioritizing his development at the position. If Rice doesn\u2019t catch in spring training, J.C. Escarra may serve as the backup to Austin Wells to start the regular season.<\/p>\n
As for the rest of the bench, the Yankees are expected to carry first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, utilityman Amed Rosario, and veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk. While Grichuk seems like a lock, Boone also highlighted the versatility of players like Max Schuemann and veteran Paul DeJong. Rosario could play multiple infield positions, but he would be better suited at third or second base than at shortstop. Meanwhile, Ryan McMahon, who\u2019s been shaky at shortstop during the spring, could still provide valuable depth at other positions.<\/p>\n
The competition for the bullpen spots is fierce. Boone called the battle \u201cvery fluid,\u201d with some relievers showing potential and others struggling with consistency. Righty Jake Bird has impressed when he\u2019s been in the strike zone, but Boone noted that his consistency remains a question mark. Lefty Brent Headrick has also caught Boone\u2019s eye, and righty Kervin Castro has opened eyes with his performance this spring. With only two spots left, Boone is carefully monitoring the bullpen battle.<\/p>\n
One of the most intriguing stories this spring is Jasson Dom\u00ednguez\u2019s swing change. The 23-year-old outfielder, known for his switch-hitting abilities, has made adjustments to his right-handed swing, notably eliminating the leg kick he previously employed. This change comes after a disappointing 2025 season, where Dom\u00ednguez struggled against left-handed pitching with a .569 OPS, which cost him a starting role.<\/p>\n
Right-hander Luis Gil is another player drawing attention this spring. After struggling with a right lat injury last season, Gil is showing signs of improvement. His fastball was clocked at 95.5 mph, topping out at 97.3 mph in his 3 1\/3 innings on Tuesday. Boone was encouraged by Gil\u2019s progress, noting that his fastball\u2019s profile continues to improve. While Gil didn\u2019t generate any swings and misses on his fastball during Tuesday\u2019s outing, he did rack up four whiffs on his slider, which is a positive sign moving forward.<\/p>\n![\"Yankees'](\"https:\/\/wp.clutchpoints.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Aaron-Boone-explains-removing-Jasson-Dominguez-late-in-games.jpg\")
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With just two weeks remaining until Opening Day, the Yankees still have several questions to answer. Will Dom\u00ednguez start the season in Triple-A, as expected? Who will fill out the bullpen and bench? And can Luis Gil take the next step in his development? As spring training winds down, it\u2019s clear that competition for roster spots is intense, and the answers to these questions will shape the Yankees\u2019 2026 season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"