CLEARWATER, Fla. — Jasson Domínguez’s first-inning at-bat against Tanner Banks on Tuesday featured a different result and a different swing than “The Martian” had been accustomed to against lefty pitching.
The switch-hitter has struggled significantly against southpaws in his career, last year hitting just .204 with a .569 OPS and one home run in 104 plate appearances.
But against Banks, he jumped on a 1-2 four-seamer on the inside part of the plate and launched it to left field for a home run.
He jumped on the pitch, but his front foot did not jump. He took a step forward rather than the large leg kick he had displayed last season.
“Just trying to try something new,” Domínguez said after the 4-2 win over the Phillies at BayCare Ballpark. “When you’re doing bad, you’re already at the bottom.”
Perhaps the lesser movement will help Domínguez, who in all likelihood will have to prove himself against lefties — and righties, too — with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre because the Yankees do not have an opening in the Opening Day outfield barring injury.
It is also possible that simply getting more at-bats against lefties will be the key to unlocking his righty swing.
He is a natural righty but only has logged a couple hundred plate appearances as a righty in his minor league career.
“He still controls the zone from that side. It’s just continuing to get reps from that side,” manager Aaron Boone said of Domínguez — who overall is having a nice spring, going 10-for-30 with two homers, two steals and a .944 OPS. “I feel like this spring … he’s hit some balls hard for outs from that side of the plate as well.
“He’s still a better left-handed hitter, but there’s no reason to think that over time, the right side can’t come up because he’s got power on that side, he’s got plate discipline, it’s just a matter of continuing to gain experience.”
Asked how many spots could be open in the bullpen, Boone said, “Two. Maybe one.”
That list of potential options includes Rule 5 draft pick Cade Winquest, who has had a rocky spring. If he doesn’t stick on their major league roster for the entire season, he would be sent back to the Cardinals.
But Boone said, “Frankly, there have been mixed results for the guys in the mix for the last two spots. We’ll see that play out a little bit. … There are opportunities for guys to grab it.”
That list also includes Jake Bird, who has struggled. And Boone also mentioned right-hander Kervin Castro, who spent last year with SWB.
“I think he can be a factor,” Boone said of the 27-year-old. “He opened my eyes this spring, seeing him in person for the first time.”
Boone said Anthony Volpe’s recovery from offseason labrum surgery is progressing, and the shortstop is scheduled to begin taking live at-bats in about three weeks.
The Yankees want Ben Rice to continue to focus on first base in Grapefruit League games, while catching occasional bullpens.
Boone saw Aaron Judge’s strong one-hop throw from right field to third that resulted in an out Monday night in the WBC and thought it looked familiar.
“He’s so under control and not in a hurry,” Boone said of Judge, who dealt with a right flexor strain last season that prevented him from throwing at full strength.