Yankees manager Aaron Boone suggested Monday that Verdugo is likely to see his playing time take a hit following outfielder Jasson Dominguez's promotion from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Laura Albanese of Newsday reports.
While Boone didn't explicitly say Verdugo is no longer a starter, he noted that Aaron Judge will play center field most days, Giancarlo Stanton will be the designated hitter most days and Dominguez will play "a lot." Boone had previously stood by Verdugo, even as the veteran outfielder has slashed just .235/.295/.356 in 137 games. However, the skipper finally looks ready to embrace a starting outfield trio of Judge, Dominguez and Juan Soto more often than not, while Stanton occupies the DH spot. The Yankees will make room in the lineup in Monday's game against the Royals for Verdugo, who will start in left field and bat ninth while Stanton finds himself as the odd man out of the lineup.