Yankees Face Familiar Struggles in Toronto as Grisham Sustains Injury

TORONTO — The New York Yankees returned to Toronto this weekend, revisiting the site of their disappointing 2025 season, which saw them suffer eight losses in nine games at Rogers Centre, including the first two games of a Division Series that the Blue Jays won in four games. In the series opener on Friday night, the Yankees quickly found themselves in a familiar predicament, falling behind 5-0 in just two innings before ultimately losing 8-5.

Compounding their woes, the Yankees lost center fielder Trent Grisham, their most productive hitter in recent weeks, to a right hamstring injury. Grisham felt discomfort while rounding first base after hitting a two-run double in the sixth inning. He appeared to suffer an awkward fall while sliding into second base and was replaced by pinch-runner Max Schuemann during a Blue Jays replay review that confirmed the safe call.

After the game, Grisham commented on his condition, saying, “I’ll wake up (Saturday) and see how I feel. Hopefully it’s good news, no, IL. But we’ll see.” His potential absence would be a significant setback for a team already grappling with injuries to other key players, including right fielder Aaron Judge (fractured right rib), designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (right calf strain), and catcher Austin Wells (cervical headaches).

Should Grisham require a stint on the injured list, outfielder Jasson Dominguez, who has been recovering from a left shoulder sprain, would likely step in. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that Dominguez could be a viable option. The young player has been participating in rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and recently made a notable appearance, hitting a home run in his latest game.

The Yankees had initially planned to evaluate Dominguez’s readiness after his Friday game. However, Grisham’s injury could prompt a quicker decision. If Dominguez returns, he will likely compete for playing time in right field alongside Jose Caballero and Max Schuemann, while rookie Spencer Jones shifts between positions. Grisham, who had been enjoying a resurgence with a .370 batting average over the last few weeks, is crucial to the Yankees' lineup as they continue their quest for a playoff spot.