Domínguez hits off tee after shoulder injury

Domínguez hits – Jasson Domínguez is back to hitting off a tee for the first time since his left shoulder injury, but the Yankees still have no concrete timetable for his return. The update comes after concussion testing was negative following his collision with the wall durin

When the medical cart disappeared through Yankee Stadium’s loading dock. the room seemed to empty out for a moment—because Jasson Domínguez wasn’t just shaken up. His left shoulder was hurting. and everyone inside the ballpark knew the next steps would decide how fast—and how safely—he could move forward.

Hours after the injury, Domínguez underwent a CT scan and an MRI on the aching left shoulder. The Yankees outfielder also got a chance to watch the play that sent him to the 10-day injured list. It happened on May 7 against the Rangers, in his ninth game this season.

“I was scary to see how I hit the wall, but I definitely watched it. It was a great catch,” Domínguez said. “I felt the ball when I caught it, but then I just went to the ground. I could feel it was still in my glove, so that was a relief.”

Back then. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had said Domínguez would be out for at least “a few weeks.” Now. after recent treatment that included a cortisone injection. there is still no concrete timetable. Boone said Domínguez did increase activities on Wednesday—advancing from dry swings and pool work and hitting off a tee for the first time since the injury.

The Yankees also took concussion testing seriously. Considering the violent nature of the crash, Domínguez and the club were relieved when all concussion testing came back negative. The team briefly placed him in concussion protocol, but it was treated as a formality.

The moment that changed everything came in the top of the first inning. Facing Paul Blackburn, leadoff hitter Brandon Nimmo scorched a drive to left field. Domínguez tracked it well, leapt near the wall, and his back collided with the metal covering over a digital advertising board.

“I knew I was close, but I didn’t think I was that close to the wall,” Domínguez said. “In the moment, you just go for the ball. You don’t have time to think.”

Domínguez stayed down for several moments. Head athletic trainer Tim Lentych tended to him as the crowd watched and then cheered when he finally rose. He shook his head while being guided toward the seat of the medical cart.

“I remember that I caught the ball, and then I remember when [Trent Grisham] touched my back,” Domínguez said. “The other part, when I fell, I don’t remember that.”

On the field, the Yankees keep trying to push recovery forward. On Tuesday. Giancarlo Stanton said he is still waiting for clearance to resume running after an MRI did not show enough healing to advance. For Domínguez, the process is different—but the frustration of slow progress is familiar. While swinging on Wednesday, Domínguez said his shoulder still felt “uncomfortable,” even though he insisted it’s improving.

“There’s definitely been some improvement, but I can’t give you a time right now,” Domínguez said. “It’s getting better. I’ve been working at it. It’s a day-by-day thing, trying to get the motion back and trying to get the shoulder in a good position.”

His injury comes with its own history. Domínguez, one of the most celebrated international prospects in recent memory, has endured a string of setbacks. Most notably, he required Tommy John surgery after just eight games following his 2023 Major League debut.

Last season, his playing time was also impacted—especially in the second half—as Grisham’s emergence shifted the picture in the outfield. Even so, Boone said Domínguez’s presence inside the clubhouse never wavered.

“Gosh, he’s just such a good kid,” Boone said. “There’s a joy he walks to every day, no matter what’s going on. He’s very consistent in who he is. They love him in there.”

For now, the tee is a step forward and the MRI results are the gatekeeping reality. Domínguez can swing, but the Yankees still can’t say when he will be ready to play—only that recovery is moving, slowly, one day at a time.

Jasson Domínguez Yankees shoulder injury 10-day injured list Aaron Boone left shoulder CT scan MRI cortisone injection concussion protocol May 7 Rangers Yankee Stadium