Yankees Roster Moves 4/26/2026: Call Up Jasson Dominguez, Luis Gil Sent Down
The Yankees made a shrewd roster move yesterday that counters a potential injury and may go part of the way to solving which pitchers move to the bullpen when Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return. The potential injury was to slugger Giancarlo Stanton, the Yankee designated hitter, who injured his calf on Saturday.
The Yankees called up Jasson Dominguez from AAA in a corresponding move. The switch-hitting outfielder was doing well there. Meanwhile, Gil was demoted. He has struggled to throw strikes this season, and his removal from the Yankees’ starting pitching rotation clears some space for Cole or Rodon. Do you think these roster moves make the Yanks stronger?
Yankees Roster Moves 4/26/2026
The Yankees made two roster moves yesterday, and none so far today. This is all ahead of their three-game series with the Texas Rangers and after their series with the Houston Astros.
Yankees Demote Luis Gil and Promote Jasson Dominguez
The Yanks promoted Dominguez from AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre. “The Martian” has been doing very well at AAA. He has posted an.893 OPS with three home runs and eight stolen bases. He adds more speed to the lineup and can run the bases, unlike Stanton, whom he nominally replaces.
The point of Dominguez being in the minor leagues is so he could play every day. The youngster needed that and has thrived. Now, he is getting the chance to prove his talent in the Major Leagues. The main questions for him are whether he can bat right-handed and whether he can play the field. He could do neither last season and fell out of favor with manager Aaron Boone, and was benched.
Dominguez gives the roster more flexibility. It will be interesting to see how he is deployed. For now, the team appears to be using a five-man bench, as Stanton hopes to avoid the injured list. To make room on the roster for Dominguez, Gil was sent back to the minor leagues. He could return on May 5, which is when the team will need a fifth starter.
The team sent Gil packing after his bad start cost the team a game yesterday. Gil has a 1-2 record, a 6.05 earned run average, and has been struggling with his command. He is throwing the ball hard, with good movement, but is wild both inside and outside the strike zone. Gil has been plagued by the home run ball and the walk, a bad combination.
Solve a Problem?
The demotion of Gil, with the imminent return of Cole and Rodon, cleared one spot in the starting rotation. The wild Gil has great stuff, but because of his wildness, he does not translate to the bullpen. It is more likely that Ryan Weathers or Will Warren will end up out there, probably Weathers. This move would strengthen the Yankees’ bullpen.
The Volpe Wildcard
Anthony Volpe is scheduled to return during the team’s next homestand. When he does, he will get added to the team’s roster, and another roster move will have to be made. If Stanton is still not healthy, putting him on the injured list at that point makes some sense from the standpoint of their roster. Another option could be to send JC Escarra to the minors and appoint Ben Rice as the backup catcher. A third option would be to release Randal Grichuk.
First World Problems
The Yanks have the blessing of many players coming back soon from the injured list. These returns create roster problems, which could cause worry. However, they probably should not. Former Yankee Manager Joe Torre famously quipped that problems created by players returning to the roster from injury would “Take care of themselves.”
