The Yankees received some encouraging news on the injury front just before Friday's series opener against the Orioles. Manager Aaron Boone provided key updates on two of the team's most anticipated young players—Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe—offering a mix of relief and cautious optimism for the Bronx faithful.
First, the good news on Jasson Dominguez. The 23-year-old outfielder had fans holding their breath after he was hit by a pitch on the elbow during Wednesday's finale against the Rangers. But following a CT scan, the results came back clean, and Boone confirmed that Dominguez is officially in the clear. The young slugger was even spotted doing baseball activities before Boone addressed the media, and the hope is that he'll be available off the bench for the series opener. This is a huge boost for the Yankees, who are counting on Dominguez to step into a bigger role with Giancarlo Stanton currently on the IL. He had just one hit in nine at-bats before the injury, so getting him back healthy is a priority for the lineup.
As for Anthony Volpe, fans will have to wait a little longer for his return. While there was some hope he might be ready for the weekend series against the Orioles, Boone confirmed that Volpe will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset through the weekend. The shortstop's 20-day rehab clock expires on Sunday, meaning the team will have to either activate him from the IL on Monday or option him back to the minors. So far, Volpe has made the most of his rehab, hitting .303 with a home run and three RBIs over 33 at-bats. He's also been sharp in the field, committing just one error in 10 games. That kind of production is exactly what the Yankees want to see before bringing him back to the big league club.
Volpe isn't the only Yankee using the minors to get back up to speed. Both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are scheduled to make another rehab appearance on Tuesday, giving the pitching staff a much-needed boost as they work toward a return. With the season heating up, every healthy arm and bat matters—and for now, the Yankees can breathe a little easier knowing their young core is on the right track.
