The New York Yankees are shaking up their roster ahead of a pivotal three-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. This series, crucial for the Yankees' season, sees significant changes that reflect both strategic decisions and necessary adjustments due to injuries.
The roster shuffle starts with the disappointing news that DJ LeMahieu has been placed on the 10-day injured list. LeMahieu is suffering from a persistent right hip impingement, an issue that's been affecting him for several weeks. “It’s been something that’s been kind of lingering on him the last couple of weeks. He’s been getting treatment on it. It’s kind of better some days, worse the others,” explained Yankees manager Aaron Boone. This development compounds a challenging season for LeMahieu, who has hit just .204 with two homers and 26 RBIs in 67 games. Notably, he missed the first 55 games due to a fracture in his right foot, which only complicated his return to form. Last season, LeMahieu was more productive, hitting .243 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 136 games.
In response, the Yankees have called up their top prospect, Jasson Domínguez, from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 20-year-old Domínguez has impressed across three minor league levels this season, posting a .314 batting average with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in 58 games. His journey hasn't been without setbacks; he suffered an oblique injury on June 15, returning to action more than a month later on July 26. Since his return, Domínguez caught fire, hitting .309 with seven homers and 25 RBIs for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His major league debut is highly anticipated, with Domínguez set to start in center field and bat sixth, though he will also see time in left field.
Amidst these exciting debuts and unfortunate injuries, the Yankees have also designated reliever Anthony Misiewicz for assignment. Misiewicz's time in the majors this season has been minimal, featuring in just one game. However, his performance for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre reflects a more capable pitcher, as he posted a 3-2 record with a 3.33 ERA across 44 appearances. This move underscores the Yankees' need to make tough decisions in order to optimize their bullpen.
Further adjustments saw the Yankees activating Jon Berti from the injured list. Berti has been sidelined for 90 games with a left calf strain. Before the injury, Berti batted .273 with one homer and six RBIs over 17 games. Acquired in a spring training trade with the Miami Marlins, Berti's absence was felt keenly by the team. The incident that led to his long hiatus happened on May 24, where he collapsed in pain a few steps out of the batter's box in San Diego, marking a low point of his season. With Berti back in the lineup, the Yankees hope to bolster their depth and inject a fresh dynamic into their play.
For manager Aaron Boone, these shifts are not just about patchwork but strategic positioning. Regarding Domínguez's call-up, Boone commented, "I think you know my thoughts on him. I’ve been a huge fan ever since I met him. Just love his makeup, his talent and he’s earned this opportunity." Boone continues to emphasize the precocious talent and earned status of Domínguez, a player who has been 'in the conversation every single day' for a major league roster spot. "I think as much as anything, it’s just continuing to build the momentum he’s built here over the last few weeks," Boone noted, speaking to the young prospect's escalating readiness and peak performance in recent appearances.
These changes are indicative of a team in flux, grappling with injuries but also looking to harness young talent and return stalwarts to the fray as they strive to navigate a challenging season. As always, the Yankees' ability to adapt and optimize their roster will be central to their success in these crucial weeks ahead.