Boone’s decision not to promote Dominguez, stick with Verdugo sparks criticism after Yankees drop another series
On Sunday, the Yankees’ 14-7 loss to the Cardinals only deepened the scrutiny surrounding their recent roster moves, particularly the decision to favor Alex Verdugo over Jasson Dominguez.
As the Yankees grapple with a disappointing season, fans and media alike have sharply criticized Manager Aaron Boone’s choices regarding these two players.
Yankees’ roster decisions under fire after latest loss
The Yankees opted to promote Duke Ellis from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre instead of calling up top prospect Dominguez as rosters expanded to 28 players. Ellis, a 26-year-old outfielder acquired off waivers from the Mariners, was chosen over Dominguez, who remains in the minors while recovering from Tommy John surgery and an oblique strain. This decision has fueled widespread discontent among Yankees fans and analysts.
Jasson Dominguez’s continued absence is particularly glaring given his recent performance. Despite struggling in a brief stint with the Yankees on August 18, where he went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, Dominguez has been impressive in Triple-A. Over his last 16 games, he has hit .359 with a .958 OPS against right-handed pitchers. His exclusion from the major league roster is seen by many as a missed opportunity, especially as the team battles a frustrating season with a 39-39 record since June 1.
Yankees fans and media question Boone’s choices
The criticism of Boone’s decisions intensified after Bryan Hoch of MLB.com argued that the Yankees are not fielding their best team by leaving Dominguez in the minors. Fox Sports’ Deesha Thosar also weighed in, labeling Boone’s decision as a case of overthinking, given Dominguez’s potential to contribute positively. Thosar highlighted that Dominguez’s solid performance in Triple-A contrasts sharply with Verdugo’s struggles.
