Jasson Dominguez, Ben Rice Named to Yankees 2025 MLB Opening Day Roster, Boone Says

Left fielder Jasson Domínguez and first baseman Ben Rice have made the New York Yankees' Opening Day roster, per manager Aaron Boone to reporters on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old Domínguez, who is the Yankees' top prospect and MLB's No. 21 overall prospect overall, will be the team's starting left fielder.

The 26-year-old Rice, who played 50 games last season, excelled in spring training with five home runs, second on the team to catcher Austin Wells.

Domínguez burst onto the scene in 2023, getting the call-up to the bigs at the age of 20 after destroying Triple-A pitching for nine games (.419 batting average, 1.094 OPS). He had fared well in Double-A before then (15 homers, 66 RBI, .781 OPS).

Domínguez hit four home runs in eight games for the Yanks but then suffered a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery.

Last year was essentially a wash for "The Martian," as he didn't come back until June and then suffered an oblique strain that kept him out until late July. He played just 18 games for the Yankees, hitting .179 with two home runs and struggling defensively in left.

Thankfully, Domínguez now gets a fresh start in 2025 after a full and healthy offseason and spring training. The talent and potential is certainly there for Domínguez to make a major impact this year.

As for Rice, he made his major league debut last year and excelled through his first 17 games, capped by a three-homer, seven-RBI outing against the Boston Red Sox. At that point, Rice was hitting .294 with a .972 OPS.

However, Rice then got stuck in a slump, hitting just .109 over his last 33 games. He was sent down to the minors but has gotten another chance this year after a great spring.

First base is occupied this year with Paul Goldschmidt now aboard. However, Rice could easily serve as a designated hitter and spell Goldschmidt when need be.

Opening Day for the Yanks is this Thursday, when New York hosts the Milwaukee Brewers at 3 p.m. ET.