12:25pm: A full Tommy John surgical procedure might nonetheless be averted, studies Andy Martino of SNY. He says that the potential for bracing will probably be decided through the surgical procedure. That might maybe reduce the restoration timeline, although additional updates will certainly observe the process.
10:55am: Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez will bear Tommy John surgical procedure on Wednesday of subsequent week, supervisor Aaron Boone introduced to reporters Thursday (hyperlink through Chris Kirschner of The Athletic). It was already recognized that Dominguez would require surgical procedure of some sort to deal with the broken ulnar collateral ligament in his proper elbow, however the Yankees and Dominguez have been nonetheless gathering info earlier than figuring out whether or not he’d want a full UCL reconstruction (i.e. Tommy John surgical procedure) or a less-invasive process, resembling a main restore or inside brace. Dominguez’s estimated MLB return is 9 to 10 months, tweets MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, so he’ll doubtless miss near half the 2024 season.
Whereas Dominguez, the workforce and its followers are all absolutely glad to have some readability on a proper prognosis and remedy plan, it’s nonetheless an apparent gut-punch to all events after Dominguez’s spectacular debut earlier this month. The 20-year-old switch-hitter has been lauded as one of many recreation’s prime prospects since signing with the Yankees on for a $5.1MM bonus as a global beginner again on July 2, 2019. He did little to sway that considering upon his name to the massive leagues, ripping an opposite-field homer off Justin Verlander in his first at-bat earlier than happening to hit .258/.303/.677 with 4 homers and a double in his first 33 MLB plate appearances.
Dominguez’s debut effort lasted simply eight video games, however the month of September had been shaping as much as be an audition for a full-time function in subsequent yr’s outfield. The early phases of that audition have been a transparent success, and there gave the impression to be an actual probability that Dominguez would open the 2024 season as New York’s main heart fielder (or maybe left fielder, relying on the progress of fellow prospect Everson Pereira and on any offseason dealings). The Yankees waived Harrison Bader in late August — the Reds subsequently claimed him — and can see utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa be a part of Bader in free company this winter.
An absence of 9 to 10 months relatively clearly disrupts any plans for Dominguez to take over a full-time spot within the outfield. The Yankees will nonetheless need to check out Dominguez in a full-time function when he returns, however his damage will increase the possibilities that the Yanks will not less than pursue a veteran stopgap in heart area to assist bridge that hole. Bader appears fairly more likely to command a multi-year deal this offseason even on the heels of a tricky yr on the plate, given his defensive excellence. There aren’t many true short-term choices on the free-agent market, although Aaron Choose’s capacity to play heart area might permit the Yankees to deploy him there for just a few months and look into short-term upgrades within the outfield corners.
No matter route the Yankees pursue, Dominguez will open the 2024 marketing campaign on the Main League 60-day injured listing and accrue each service time and massive league pay whereas he rehabs. The damage will make it extremely unlikely that he’ll have the enjoying time required to push himself into American League Rookie of the 12 months voting subsequent yr, thus lowering the likelihood of the Yankees benefiting within the third yr of MLB”s “prospect promotion incentive” system that was applied within the 2022-26 collective bargaining settlement.
In any other case, Dominguez’s damage gained’t do a lot to vary influence his service time or long-term membership management. He was more likely to open the season on the roster anyhow, making a full yr of service in 2024 the likeliest end result. That’s nonetheless the case, and assuming he collects that full yr in ’24, he’ll be below workforce management through the arbitration system via the 2029 season. The timing of Dominguez’s name to the Majors this yr doesn’t put him anyplace close to Tremendous Two trajectory, so he’ll be eligible for arbitration following the 2026 season, barring any future non-obligatory assignments that might change that timeline.
