The likely playing time for Jasson Domínguez was a decisive factor in the New York Yankees' decision not to call up the young outfielder with teams now permitted to expand their rosters.

"When he comes up here, you're going to want to play him everyday," Boone told reporters Sunday. "So, he'll continue to remain in that conversation. Feel like he's over the last couple of weeks starting to play well, coming back from the oblique injury. Tough call right now but it doesn't mean that doesn't change that doesn't change in a couple of days, in a week, in two weeks — whatever it is. But it's important for him to continue to play right now."

Domínguez has long been considered not just one of the Yankees' best prospects but one of the brighter talents throughout the minors. He debuted in MLB last year and looked good across his 33 plate appearances.

The 21-year-old has performed well at the Triple-A level in 2024, having recovered from offseason Tommy John surgery and then an oblique injury. In 37 games, he has five home runs, 18 RBI, 14 stolen bases and a .306/.359/.469 slash line.

Beyond the obvious promise, his speed and versatility — he has played all three outfield positions for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders — would seemingly make him a good option for the postseason. Boone could bring him off the bench in an important moment as a pinch runner or defensive substitute.

That's why Yankees fans were perplexed when the team announced four additions to the active roster and Domínguez wasn't one of them.

The frustration is magnified because Alex Verdugo, New York's everyday left fielder, isn't much of an upgrade over Domínguez at this point and might be worse.

Since the start of May, Verdugo is slugging .338 with seven homers in 101 games. Whatever value the 28-year-old provides on defense is canceled out by his futility at the plate.

Verdugo's impending free agency means the Yankees don't have any long-term commitment to him, either. Surely it makes more sense to hitch your wagons to a young star who's under team control for many years to come.

There's still time for Boone to put Domínguez on the squad in time for the playoffs. Should that happen, it will just raise the question of why the move didn't come earlier because an extra week or two in the minors probably won't have a marked impact on his development.