Seranthony Domínguez is eyeing a 2021 return

Seranthony Domínguez could return to the Phillies in September.

The Phillies right-hander was at Citizens Bank Park over the weekend as the team needed to assess where he was in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the Phillies right-hander will begin a rehab assignment next week.

Domínguez, 26, underwent Tommy John surgery on July 30, 2020. Almost a year later, his fastball velocity sits around 93-94, per Zolecki. He threw around 96 mph in his last regular season outing against the San Diego Padres on June 5, 2019.

Domínguez went on the injured list shortly after the outing and never made it back before the end of the season. He suffered a setback in March 2020 during a spring training game. Tommy John surgery was recommended for Domínguez in March and a second opinion confirmed that in June. International air travel and elective surgery delays due to the pandemic pushed back the surgery until July. The Phillies tendered him a one-year, $727,500 contract in December.

Domínguez’s 2021 return is not guaranteed, however. A setback could result in the Phillies deciding to shut him down for the remainder of the season.

If all goes well, Domínguez could be a huge addition to the Phillies bullpen. He won’t be expected to immediately take over as the closer, but he could pitch in important spots for a team that hopes to compete for a division title during the final weeks of the season.

Domínguez posted a 2.95 ERA in 58 innings in 2018 and spent some time as the team’s go-to closer. Anything remotely resembling that kind of production could be a boost for a Phillies team that is always in need of more options out of the bullpen.

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