Daily Report – 4/16/25

Here is today’s report:

Yankees

When you’re hitting 1-for-20 against lefties, sometimes all you need is a bonk on the head.

Last night, Jasson Domínguez delivered a clutch three-run double in the 6th inning to put the Yankees ahead of Kansas City 4-2. But even Martians need glasses. Or contact lenses. When Domínguez pulled that inside fastball down the left field line, his bat circled his head and knocked his helmet off. It also dislodged his contact lenses.

“I’ve been having a little bit of a struggle from the right side, but lately I feel I’ve made some improvements,” said Domínguez. He has been working hard to produce on both sides of the plate, and his defense has improved impressively as well.

Entering this season, Aaron Boone said Jasson Domínguez would not just succeed in left field, but flourish. Yankees outfielders have been struggling in Yankee Stadium’s left field for years. Alex Verdugo provided stability there last season, but he couldn’t back it up offensively. Jasson Domínguez, meanwhile, has the potential to be an excellent two-way player for the Yankees for years to come, and maybe finally solve their left field issue.

“Very important moment in the game,” Domínguez said about his bases-clearing double. “Got a good pitch, something out over the plate, and put a good swing on it.”

“Jasson obviously coming through was huge, but I thought it was just a really great team effort,” said Max Fried, who got his third win in pinstripes after allowing five hits, two walks, and two runs over 6 2/3 innings. He sent seven batters down on strikes.

After the sixth inning, Aaron Boone pulled Jasson Domínguez for Trent Grisham to give Domínguez time to adjust his contacts. Cody Bellinger moved to left field and Grisham began patrolling center, and he immediately made a speedy running catch.

“I felt like I kind of lost it there in the seventh,” said Fried. “That ball lands, [Renfroe] was pretty aggressive trying to get to second, so the potential of him scoring from first. So, for [Grisham] to be able to catch that limited the damage.”

Luke Weaver and Devin Williams relieved Fried, both pitching for a second straight night. Weaver retired four batters on 11 pitches. Williams tossed a one-two-three ninth inning to earn his third save as a Yankee. His changeup is finally bending the air again.

“Even in some of the outings where [Williams has] struggled, he’s flashed all of that,” said Aaron Boone after Williams’s excellent performance last night. “Probably the consistent velo of the fastball was there a little bit more. I thought his stuff was good.”

In other news, earlier this week, Aaron Judge was named selected to be the captain of Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It’s an honor that Captain America does not take for granted. “It’s something special, getting a chance to represent our country. I’m just thinking about all the brave men and women that have fought for this country and laid their lives down for us to get a chance to go out here and play a game,” said Judge. “It’s a pretty humbling experience.”

Mike Trout captained Team USA in the 2022 tournament. When asked if Judge should be the next captain, he responded, “He’s the one.”

Tonight, at 7:05 PM (6:05 PM CDT), the Yankees will go for the sweep against Kansas City (Prime Video). RHP Clarke Schmidt (0-0, -.-- ERA) will make his season debut against LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 0.96 ERA).

Here is tonight’s starting lineup for the New York Yankees:

1. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)

2. RF Cody Bellinger (L)

3. DH Aaron Judge (C) (R)

4. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)

5. SS Anthony Volpe (R)

6. C Austin Wells (L)

7. CF Trent Grisham (L)

8. LF Jasson Domínguez (S)

9. 3B Oswald Peraza (R)

P: RHP Clarke Schmidt (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Yankees Injury Report:

• 4/16: RHP Luis Gil (lat strain) has been delayed in his rehab. He was initially expected to begin throwing this week, but due to inadequate healing, he will not begin throwing for another 10 days.

• 4/15: DH Giancarlo Stanton (dual-elbow tendinitis) is close to taking live at-bats. He is expected to continue his rehab in Tampa this weekend, but this is not yet definitive.

Yankees Transactions:

• 4/16: NYY activated RHP Clarke Schmidt from the 15-day injured list.

• 4/16: NYY optioned RHP Allan Winans to AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Schedule

7:05 PM (6:05 PM CDT): NYY vs. KC; AmazonPV; SP: RHP Clarke Schmidt (0-0, -.-- ERA)

That will conclude this report. Enjoy the rest of your day.