HOUSTON — Jasson Dominguez’s first career home run landed in a swath of fans in the Crawford Boxes at Minute Maid Park on Friday, but he was still able to end the night with the ball in his possession.
With an assist from the Astros, the Yankees secured the ball for Dominguez from a woman who was a Yankees fan.
She asked only for a signed baseball in exchange for the home run ball, but since she was with her daughter, the Yankees and Dominguez sent her two signed baseballs in return.
Dominguez said he planned on giving the ball to his mom, who was one of the many family members he had in attendance for the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Astros.
Gleyber Torres was a late scratch from the Yankees lineup on Friday after his back locked up on him “right around batting practice,” according to manager Aaron Boone.
The severity of the lower-back issue was not immediately clear.
Torres was coming off a busy series against the Tigers in which he crushed three home runs but also committed a game-ending throwing error in the 10th inning of Thursday’s loss.
Youth was served in the Yankees’ lineup on Friday.
Along with 20-year-old Dominguez and 24-year-old Austin Wells, who were called up to make their MLB debuts, the Yankees also started 22-year-olds Anthony Volpe and Everson Pereira and 23-year-old Oswald Peraza.
“It’s very special,” Wells said. “I don’t know a lot of guys that can say they debuted with four or five guys from the minors that they played with. Being able to be here with them and have them in the lineup definitely makes it a lot more comfortable.”
It marked just the second time in the last 54 years that the Yankees have five players 24 or younger start the same game. The last time came in 1984 with a lineup that included Don Mattingly (23), Scott Bradley (24), Rex Hudler (24), Bob Meacham (24) and Mike Pagliarulo (24).
It was also the first time the Yankees had four players 23 or younger starting in the same game since 1969 when it was Ron Blomberg (21), Frank Tepedino (21), Thurman Munson (22) and Bobby Murcer (23).
Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome) remained back in New York this weekend after having a checkup with his neurologist. Manager Aaron Boone said he would have more information after Saturday on the veteran first baseman, who had been ramping back up in hopes of playing again this season.
Randy Vasquez was also called up on Friday to provide coverage for a short bullpen, throwing two scoreless innings of relief behind Carlos Rodon.
RHP Luis Gil, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2022, began a rehab assignment on Friday with Low-A Tampa.
The 25-year-old is not expected to make it back to the big leagues this season but making a handful of starts in the minor leagues this month could put him in position to be a depth option entering next year.
Vasquez had initially been scheduled to start Thursday at Triple-A, but he was scratched so he could offer length for the Yankees on Friday.
