If there was ever a time to bench Jasson Dominguez, it’s against a left-handed starting pitcher so we wouldn’t have to see him bat righty and go down as easily as he has. If there was a time to start Jasson Dominguez, it’s against any right-handed pitcher. But the New York Yankees and Aaron Boone still can’t get it right.

Heading into Monday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres, Dominguez was benched in favor of … we don’t even know. After throwing arguably the puntiest of punt lineups of the Boone era out there on Sunday against the Rays, the manager followed suit in a different way for their matchup against the Pads.

The Yankees blew the game, and called upon Dominguez anyway in the ninth inning in what was a last-ditch effort to salvage their meltdown. Dominguez struck out to end the game as the rain came down. For as much as this team as tried to “protect” Dominguez, they also do stuff like that.

Then came Tuesday night. Dominguez was right back in the lineup as the team’s cleanup hitter against one of the best pitchers in baseball. Former Yankee Michael King and his 2.07 ERA will more than likely handle New York easily on Tuesday night, because that’s just how it goes. So Dominguez either on the bench against an inferior righty, or in the cleanup spot against one of the best righties? Or pinch hitting when the team needs him most?

Whatever the case, his splits against righties and lefties are undeniable. Dominguez should be batting lefty every opportunity possible, and there was no reason for him to sit against the last three right-handed starters in Kyle Gibson (4/29), Ryan Pepiot (5/2) and Nick Pivetta (5/6).

Yankees’ treatment of Jasson Dominguez is confounding to New York fans

Not to mention, Dominguez is back as a DH tonight! Shouldn’t he be getting as many meaningful outfield reps as possible in the early going? Whether he’s considered to be a cornerstone player for the Yankees or eventual trade bait, improving the defensive aspect of his game is important.

And when you compare his usage to Anthony Volpe’s, it all gets even more confusing and frustrating. Volpe’s been given a much longer leash at a much more important position and has largely failed to deliver.

Then comes the issue of maximizing the talent on the roster. Dominguez is hitting .307 with an .845 OPS against right-handed pitching. Cody Bellinger is hitting .169 with a .570 OPS against the same competition.

We understand Bellinger is an accomplished veteran, but nobody on this roster has earned the right to play every single night except Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt and Trent Grisham. That’s just the truth.

The Yankees can’t sit here and tell fans that they’re doing they’re best to “protect” Dominguez and further foster his development when they are limiting his defensive appearances from time to time and keeping him out of the lineup against right-handed starters … but then thrusting him into high-leverage pinch-hit situations and highlighting him as the cleanup hitter against top competition.

It took about a month, but fans are now multiple topics deep in regard to some newfound frustration as the Yankees have spiraled. They’re 6-9 in their last 15 games for a reason. They lead the league with five losses when leading in the eighth inning or later. They need to stop playing around and put the best group of players on the field every single night until they get reinforcements back from injury.