Yankees news: How Jasson Dominguez can (but won’t) stick

Why bring this all up?

The Yankees’ rotation has been going deep into games (by today’s standards) in addition to having an MLB-best 2.74 ERA. They’re getting six, seven or eight innings almost every time Max Fried and Cam Schlittler pitch. Their starters are averaging better than 5 2/3 innings per start and got through six innings 14 times in 31 starts.

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Those numbers should climb with two innings-eating aces due back from surgeries in May.

Pitching for Somerset on Tuesday, Gerrit Cole got up to 60 pitches in his third rehab start. Two or three more and he’ll probably be back from Tommy John surgery.

Carlos Rodon’s start for Somerset on Wednesday will be his second outing since his offseason elbow procedure. He’ll probably make one more next week, then be off the IL.

With continued deep starts from the rotation, the Yankees could carry 12 pitchers instead of 13, allowing for a five-man bench and seven-man bullpen.

That would enable the Yankees to go with a five-man bench and seven-man bullpen.

That might keep Jasson Dominguez in the big leagues all season. Otherwise, he’ll probably head back to Triple-A when shortstop Anthony Volpe returns from rehab (possibly Friday) and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton recovers from a low-grade calf strain (probably in a couple weeks).

If Boone doesn’t think he could get Dominguez enough at-bats with Stanton gobbling up most of the DH at-bats, infielder/outfielder Max Schuemann could keep his roster spot instead of returning to Triple-A as soon as Volpe is back. Schuemann could be used as a pinch-runner for Austin Wells or Ryan McMahon on nights Jose Caballero is starting in left field.

Boone was asked if the Yankees would think about dropping to 12 pitchers to have a bigger bench and immediately shot it down ... for now.

“I think we lean 13 pitchers,” he said. “Look, I’m sure there’ll be days or times where that’s in play, especially if the starting pitching continues to give us that kind of length, but no talk of that right now.”

ELMER’S DEBUT

The Yankees saw plenty of promise in right-hander Elmer Rodriguez’s losing MLB debut Tuesday, two runs over four-plus innings with three strikeouts, four walks and a hit by pitch.

The 22-year-old Puerto Rican native retired only 12 of 20 batters, but was working on a shutout before being chased in the fifth with no outs and two runs in.

“Obviously, strike throwing wasn’t as sharp as it’s going to be with him and typically is,” Boone said, “but a lot of good out there. You saw his stuff play. I thought his mix of two-seam and four-seam (fastballs) and spinning it a little bit was good.

“Just little better on the strike throwing part and it’s a different line, but he still kept us in the game and gave us a chance.”

Rodriguez focused on the positives, as well.

“I felt I was competing,” he said. “Obviously, I could have executed a little bit better. I was just missing a lot of pitches.”

Rodriguez likely will get one more start with the Yankees next Tuesday at Yankee Stadium, against the Rangers again, then return to Triple-A. If Rodon gets through two more rehab starts without any issues, he’ll probably make his season debut on Friday, May 8 in Milwaukee.

COLE’S TAKEAWAY

Cole allowed three runs on two homers in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against Portland on Tuesday, giving him a 4.40 ERA in three rehab starts.

“I feel good,” he said in a post-game interview. It was nice to get six ups, so it was a good day. A lot of strikes. Not a lot of large misses and consistency. I tried to throw as many strikes as I get as deep as I can to get as much work in as I can. Keep getting more reps here.”

ON DECK

In addition to Rodon making a rehab start on Thursday, a day off for the Yankees, Dominguez will have a CT scan on his left elbow and No. 1 prospect George Lombard is expected to make his Triple-A debut.

Batting in the fourth inning Tuesday, Dominguez was hit in the elbow on an 89-mph cutter from Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi. He finished out the half inning, then was replaced in left field in the bottom of the fourth due to pain and swelling.

Afterward, Dominguez was feeling better and not concerned that his testing would bring bad news.

A 20-year-old shortstop, Lombard’s first game for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will be a home game against Buffalo. The 2023 first-round draft pick was promoted after starting the season batting .312 with four homers, 10 RBI and 10 steals in 20 games with Somerset.

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