Jasson Dominguez tries to become a more viable Yankees switch-hitter with key spring reps

BRADENTON, Fla. – Jasson Domínguez got his first two at-bats of the spring against a southpaw Monday.

And while the right side outfielder still has more work to do to become a more viable switch-hitter, getting reps against lefties is the most important thing for Domínguez at this point in the calendar.

“I think it’s a matter of experience more than anything, where a young guy who has missed a fair amount of time in his development as he came through the system, the biggest thing that suffers is the right side because you don’t come across a lot of lefties,” manager Aaron Boone said before the 6-2 win over the Pirates at LECOM Park. “So I hope it’s something that continues to improve over time as he gets more opportunities. But it can also be a challenge.”

Domínguez struck out in both at bats against lefties – the first against tough reliever Gregory Soto – after hitting an RBI double against a righty earlier in the game.

Although the right side is Domínguez’s natural side, he struggled there last season, hitting .204 with a .569 OPS in 104 at-bats, compared to .274 with a .768 OPS in 325 at-bats from the left side.

In addition to being blocked in the outfield if everyone stays healthy, it doesn’t help Domínguez being on the roster that the Yankees are already left-heavy in their lineup and could use a right-handed backup outfielder.

Boone will try to compare Domínguez to lefties whenever possible this spring, but that’s easier said than done.

In the spring, teams don’t set their pitching plans until the night before a game, while Boone tries to set his lineup a few days in advance as he builds the players’ workload.

Boone said he’s still unsure when Oswaldo Cabrera will be able to play, but indicated he’s encouraged by how the utility man has looked in recent days after returning from a broken ankle and ligament damage last May.

Cabrera also has yet to slide, Boone said, which caused him to damage his ankle in the first place.

“I’ve noticed with my eyes that I feel like he’s getting closer to that final level of burst and the things that you need,” Boone said. “So he’s busy with baseball activities. I’m just waiting for the coaches to say when we want to start involving him in games.”

JC Escarra is expected to make his spring debut against the Blue Jays on Tuesday after being slightly delayed as the Yankees cleared the catcher completely of a knee injury in the Dominican Winter League.

“We just made sure he can get all his positions perfectly,” Boone said. “But he’s been good for a few weeks.”

Ryan Yarbrough made his spring debut against the Pirates, throwing two innings on 44 pitches, giving up one run and striking out four.

“Everything was good,” Yarbrough said. “Cutters felt really good. I just tried to make sure I was getting those pitches in. Maybe executing a little better, but overall everything was really good with how everything was moving and just building on it.”