Yankees make key lineup decision for Game 1 of ALDS

May 6, 2023; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have finally decided on which outfielder will be starting next to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals.

There’s been chatter amongst Yankees fans regarding whether manager Aaron Boone would go with veteran Alex Verdugo or prized prospect Jasson Dominguez in left field.

Dominguez himself shared that he didn’t know the plan less than 24 hours before the series opener at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y.

Reports broke on Friday night that Verdugo, for at least one game, would get the nod in left field.

Alex Verdugo will start in left field for the Yankees tomorrow in their postseason opener, per league sources. Story up soon .

— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) October 5, 2024

Verdugo has largely struggled at the plate in 2024. His .233 batting average and .647 OPS across 149 games are his worst by far over a full season.

Fans have long been eager to see Dominguez get a real shot in the big leagues. The 21-year-old nicknamed “The Martian” hasn’t fared much better than Verdugo with a .179 batting average this season. But it’s come in limited action over just 18 games to close out the regular season.