Yankees News: Jasson Dominguez concerns, former Astros pitcher signed, lineup questions

The New York Yankees might be 3-0, but the fanbase's keen eye has not wavered, for better or worse. The first such example are the concerns still surrounding Jasson Dominguez at Triple-A after just one weekend of play.

When The Martian (is that nickname banned now?) was optioned to the minor leagues to begin the year, everybody knew what he needed to work on: his defense and ability to hit from the right side of the plate. His success hitting lefty would not change a single thing about his status with the team. That's already a finished product and it's something the Yankees do not need at the moment.

So far, he's 0-for-2 with a strikeout as a right-handed hitter and has already made a lowlight-reel error. He's 4-for-11 with three RBI hitting lefty, though ... so we guess we can cling to that for now. But, yeah, it seems like he won't be sniffing MLB action anytime soon unless there's an injury to the active roster.

This error was heinous, and it's clear not much has changed with his approach out there, as we were able to discern from one of his last attempts to make an impression during spring training.

No words. He cannot make routine plays near the wall. Though fans were frustrated he got optioned, it's clear why the team felt like it had no choice. Dominguez cannot be trusted out there.

Yankees sign former Astros pitcher Luis Garcia to 2-year minor league contract

Speaking of Triple-A, the Yankees just transferred pitcher Luis Garcia to the RailRiders' full-season injured list. New York signed the former World Series-winning Astros pitcher last week to a two-year minor league contract.

He's currently recovering from his second elbow surgery since 2023. He's pitched in only eight games dating back to the start of that season. He underwent reconstructive UCL/flexor tendon surgery in October and is still on the road to recovery. It's unclear if he'll pitch at all in 2026, but we'd bet he won't be seen until spring training 2027.

Before his elbow troubles, Garcia was a very reliable starter. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2021 and logged 312 1/3 innings (58 total games) with a 3.60 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. The Yankees are hoping he can be a full go for 2027 and aid the team's pitching depth.

Yankees' Opening Weekend lineup questions, mostly involving Ben Rice

What a weird schedule, huh? The Yankees opened the season on Wednesday, had an off day on Thursday, played Friday and Saturday, and were off again on Sunday. In the process, fans were able to get some early (and unnecessary) rage out of their system.

Friday's lineup against left-hander Robbie Ray saw all of Ben Rice, Ryan McMahon and Trent Grisham benched in favor of Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario and Randal Grichuk. For a moment there, some folks freaked out seeing Rice benched at the very first sight of a lefty starter in 2026, which was what many fans feared would happen with Aaron Boone calling the shots.

No need to worry (yet), though. The reason was because the Yankees are not facing a lefty starter in their next series against the Seattle Mariners, so Boone simply wanted to get those guys into a sizable chunk of game action when he had the chance. Goldy, Rosario and Grichuk went a combined 1-for-9 but should see some more playing time against Seattle's bullpen and then again on Saturday against Marlins lefty Max Meyer.

As for those concerned about Rice's status, it's unlikely he's on the bench every time there's a lefty starter on the mound, but with all of the off days in the early going and a need to keep guys active, there's going to be some cycling in and out until mid-April.