Yankees Exhaust Challenges Early in Spring Game

Domínguez, Escarra, Jones, DeJong, and Ellis all hit home runs in blowout win over Twins.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The New York Yankees crushed five home runs, including shots from Jasson Domínguez, J.C. Escarra, Spencer Jones, Paul DeJong, and Duke Ellis, in a 17-5 blowout victory over the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League spring training game. However, the Yankees ran out of video review challenges by the bottom of the first inning after unsuccessfully trying to overturn calls on right fielder Yanquiel Fernandez and pitcher Luis Gil.

Why it matters

The Yankees' ability to effectively use their video review challenges is an important part of their in-game strategy, as it allows them to correct potential umpiring errors. Running out of challenges early in a spring training game highlights the need for the team to carefully manage this resource during the regular season.

The details

In the bottom of the first inning, the Yankees used up both of their video review challenges, with Fernandez and Gil being unsuccessful in their attempts to get calls overturned. Later in the second inning, Gil tried to challenge another call, but did not have a challenge remaining. Escarra's first home run of the spring, a 413-foot shot off Twins pitcher Cole Sands that left his bat at 109.6 mph, was the hardest-hit ball of Escarra's career according to Statcast.

  • The Yankees ran out of video review challenges by the bottom of the first inning.
  • In the second inning, Luis Gil tried to challenge a call but did not have a challenge remaining.

The players

Jasson Domínguez

A Yankees outfield prospect who hit a home run in the game.

J.C. Escarra

A Yankees outfielder who hit a 413-foot home run off Twins pitcher Cole Sands, the hardest-hit ball of his career.

Spencer Jones

A Yankees outfielder who hit a home run in the game.

Paul DeJong

A Yankees infielder who hit a home run in the game.

Duke Ellis

A Yankees outfielder who hit a home run in the game.

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What they’re saying

“That means I'm eating well”

— J.C. Escarra (New York Post)

What’s next

Paul Blackburn, who pitched in a piggyback role in his first appearance, will start against the Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field, the last game for all of the Yankees' WBC participants.

The takeaway

The Yankees' inability to effectively manage their video review challenges in this spring training game highlights the importance of this strategic element of the game, as it can have a significant impact on the outcome, especially during the regular season when every call matters.