Dominguez, 18, still waiting to play first game

TAMPA — Jasson Dominguez is widely considered the Yankees’ top prospect. Now he just has to play a game.

“He hasn’t played a minor league game yet,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said of the 18-year-old Dominguez, who signed with the Yankees for $5.1 million in 2019. “Despite his name, his notoriety, his signing bonus, he’s now one of many. He’ll be competing for a roster spot. On what roster that turns out to be remains to be seen.”

The outfielder is among those players who had their development sidetracked by the cancelation of the minor league season a year ago, which would have been his first full season of pro baseball.

“We need to get his career going, just like a number of prospects we have that had their development stalled because of COVID,’’ Cashman said. “We look forward to getting minor league baseball back. There’s no way to [get better] besides playing in games. It’s vitally important we get that back sooner rather than later.”

In the meantime, Dominguez remains in the Dominican Republic, waiting for his chance to play professional baseball.

“He’s like everybody else in the minor league population,’’ Cashman said. “Waiting for a minor league spring training report time and see where it takes him.”

➤ Adam Ottavino is gone while Darren O’Day and Justin Wilson are here, with Cashman hoping the Yankees’ bullpen is at least as good following the shake-up that created some financial flexibility.

“The method to the madness was to buy flexibility to use either now or later,’’ Cashman said. “We decided to utilize it now. I hope we’re better served for that.”

As for the pen overall, Cashman said, “We have a very good bullpen on paper. If it’s not, we’ll make adjustments along the way. I feel like we’re in a good place starting out.”

And a big part of that is the arrival of the sidearmer, O’Day.

“We feel like he wipes out right-handers and can get left-handers out,’’ Cashman said. “We got great feedback on his makeup [including from Zack Britton and Buck Showalter].”

O’Day has thrown just 41 ¹/3 innings over the past three seasons combined and Cashman acknowledged the Yankees would have to monitor the 38-year-old closely.

“Despite his age, he’s still going strong and we hope he holds up for us,’’ Cashman said. “We have to manage him a certain way to get the best results out of him.”

➤ Jay Bruce and Derek Dietrich, both in camp as non-roster invitees, have impressed Cashman.

“They were brought in to get a legitimate shot to try to find a way to make this roster,’’ Cashman said. “So far, the early returns are strong. They look like they are going to make us have decisions and that’s what we want.”

Cashman noted the two left-handed hitters have “different skill-sets,” with Dietrich in the infield and Bruce at first base and the outfield.

Mike Ford remains a lefty option off the bench as a potential backup to Luke Voit at first.

“There’s going to be some interesting conversations to continue to have,’’ Cashman said.

➤ Bench coach Carlos Mendoza has filled in for Aaron Boone in his absence. “His day is coming,” Cashman said of the 41-yearold Mendoza. “Without a doubt, he is going to manage a major league team and I think he’s gonna be really good at it.”