Young New York Yankees Star Jasson Dominguez Turns to Texas Rangers Doctor for Surgery

Jasson Domínguez is the No. 2 prospect in the New York Yankees’ organization. Nicknamed "The Martian" for his tape-measure home runs, the 20-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic was called up on Sept. 1 and hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat — just like Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung did last year.

Dominguez’s season ended 10 days later after tearing the UCL in his right elbow. That’s the ligament associated with Tommy John surgery, and the injury Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom suffered earlier this season for the second time in his career.

While this has nothing to do with the Rangers on the field, there is a connection off. Domínguez had Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, which included an addition of an InternalBrace. The surgery was performed by surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas.

That’s a familiar name to Rangers fans, as he’s been the team physician since 2004.

He also happens to be considered one of the foremost surgeons in professional sports when it comes to UCL repair, or Tommy John surgery.

Dominguez had the surgery in Arlington, and he’s not the only non-Rangers player to go to Meister.

Earlier this year Meister performed surgery on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who injured the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm in January’s NFC Championship Game. Purdy just happens to be from Arizona and had his exams done by Meister while he was in Spring Training with the Rangers.

Meister ultimately used the UCL repair with InternalBrace augmentation and Purdy is back with the 49ers, having led them to a 3-0 start. He was able to be ready to start a regular-season game six months after the surgery.

When the Rangers have a player that needs Tommy John surgery, they turn to Meister. Current and former players like Cole Ragans, Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez have recently had the procedure. Earlier this year, Meister performed the surgery on pitching prospects Avery Weems and Kumar Rocker.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard

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