Yankees News: DJ LeMahieu and Lou Trivino injury updates, Jasson Dominguez

The New York Yankees are riding high. They swept the Oakland A's over the weekend and now need just one win over the Baltimore Orioles to clinch the AL East. Unfortunately, however, they lost a couple of bullpen pieces along the way.

Jake Cousins hit the injured list Sunday, which prompted the Yankees to recall Clayton Beeter. Cousins is expected to return for a playoff run, but we'll see about that. As for Beeter, this is his first time back with the club since making the Opening Day roster and he can now audition for a spot on the postseason roster.

Though the prospect of Beeter is encouraging and Cousins' emergence has been notable, the Yankees were hoping to get back some veteran help before October arrived. That will no longer be happening.

Lou Trivino, who has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery (and setbacks), was on track to return in mid-to-late September. But manager Aaron Boone delivered bad news Sunday.

Trivino has been shut down due to "shoulder stuff" and will not pitch in 2024. He has not pitched since Oct. 5, 2022. And that's what happens when you bank on injured players taking on meaningful roles. It never turns out the way you need it to.

Yankees News: DJ LeMahieu and Lou Trivino injury updates, Jasson Dominguez

Over the weekend, Boone also provided an update on DJ LeMahieu, who hit the injured list two weeks ago with a hip issue. Boone said LeMahieu has begun hitting off a tee and could potentially be a postseason roster option depending on how things shake out.

And to that we say, "no." LeMahieu served no purpose on this team when he was fully healthy and playing low stakes regular season games. What value would he provide after missing three weeks of playing time as the Yankees roll into their most important contests of the year? This would be a classic Yankees oversight, but something tells us this is just Boone lip service because the team would never outright say the reality of the situation.

Because if LeMahieu is on the postseason roster, that means some (or multiple people) suffered injuries, or that the team opted to leave off a more talented player. Right now, the versatility and athleticism the Yankees have with Jon Berti, Oswaldo Cabrera and Jasson Dominguez cannot be denied.

And if Dominguez can heat up over the next week, the Yankees will be in their best shape yet. The organization's top prospect has struggled a bit, but his homer in Sunday's win over Oakland was a sight to behold.

That one tied the game after New York fell into an early hole. He now has the same amount of home runs in two weeks as Alex Verdugo has since July 7. Unbelievable.

Though he didn't get on base again after that, Dominguez has two homers, four RBI and four stolen bases in his 46 plate appearances since getting recalled a couple weeks ago. He's made some unacceptable defensive miscues in the outfield, but should those tighten up, he will be a one-of-a-kind playoff weapon for the Bombers.

The Orioles and Pirates are left on deck. The Yankees need to see more out of a few players — Dominguez included — to know where they stand as they prepare their playoff roster. Let's hope we're about to witness Dominguez's redemption story after last year's injury and this year's late call-up.