With only 16 games remaining in the regular season, it’s getting down to crunch time for the New York Yankees, who currently sit a game and a half ahead of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East standings. While their playoff seed remains to be determined, one thing that seems evident is the team’s plan to utilize outfielder Jasson Domínguez – whose long-awaited return from Triple A finally happened Monday — down the stretch.
Catch up on the latest happenings by checking out the most popular Yankees and MLB stories from the past week.
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Yankees top 5 reads
1. Yankees noncommittal on Clay Holmes’ closer role as he allows walk-off grand slam
“I’m not going to answer that right now when we’re raw and emotional,” manager Aaron Boone said when pressed on moving to a new closer.
2. John Sterling to call Yankees playoff games
Sterling, who retired from the radio booth in April, will call home and road games for the Yankees in October.
3. Yankees call up top prospect Jasson Domínguez
The team recently said that Domínguez would not be recalled if there wasn’t a place for him to play every day.
The Yankees called up Domínguez on Monday, and manager Aaron Boone said their top prospect will play “a lot.”
5. How Yankees’ Brian Cashman explained controversial Jasson Domínguez decision
Cashman spoke to reporters about the decision to keep Domínguez at Triple A and continue to play the underperforming Alex Verdugo.
Read this week’s Power Rankings
MLB top 5 reads
1. Whit Merrifield rages over dangerous fastballs: ‘That was my life on the line’
Merrifield was hit by a 94.5 mph pitch in the Braves’ 3-0 win. He was bruised and complained angrily about a dangerous trend among pitchers.
2. It’s time for Jim Bowden to update his annual top-50 ranking. This year, two Tigers — Jackson Jobe and Max Clark — lead the list.
3. The agent, whose potential free-agent clients include Juan Soto, Corbin Burnes and Alex Bregman, gets a head start on a big offseason.
4. ‘Atrocious’: Justin Verlander’s latest debacle puts his postseason in jeopardy
Not since May 16, 2013, had Verlander yielded eight earned runs in three or fewer innings. The Astros saw it happen Sunday.
5. From grand slams to stretch outs: Looking at each MLB team’s best and worst stat
Some bests and worsts were obvious, and others obscure. Here’s what we found most interesting or telling about all 30 teams.
(Top photo of Jasson Domínguez: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)
