NEW YORK -- The Martian has landed back in the Bronx.

Jasson Domínguez returned to the Yankees on Monday, in the thick of the playoff race. The Bronx Bombers called up the 21-year-old outfielder -- their No. 1 prospect and the No. 16 prospect in baseball -- before their series opener against the Royals at Yankee Stadium.

Domínguez is expected to play a big role over the final weeks of the regular season as the Yankees push for the American League East title.

"Jasson's going to play a lot," manager Aaron Boone said.

It starts Monday, with Domínguez immediately inserted into the Yankees' starting lineup, batting sixth and playing center field.

"I think he enjoys the bright lights," Boone said. "I don't think he's overwhelmed, wherever he is."

Now, that is in the big leagues, at the most crucial juncture of the Yankees' season. New York enters play Monday with a half-game lead over the Orioles for first place in the division, with 19 games remaining to lock up a postseason berth.

"I like to compete. I like the challenge," Domínguez said before Monday's game. "Obviously this is the best, this is the [highest] level … And I like it."

The Yankees made news when they opted to call up speedy outfielder Duke Ellis instead of Domínguez when rosters expanded on Sept. 1, even amid left fielder Alex Verdugo's struggles in his first year in pinstripes.

Boone at the time cited promising developments in Verdugo's offense and a desire for Domínguez to receive regular playing time, which he wouldn't get in a Yankees outfield featuring Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Verdugo. General manager Brian Cashman echoed that sentiment last Friday.

But just three days later, Domínguez's moment arrived.

"Like I said on Sept. 1 when we didn't initially recall Jasson, he's [been] in the conversation every single day," Boone said. "As much as anything, it's just continuing to build the momentum he's built here over the last few weeks, where we feel like [he's] really starting to be in the peak of his season and playing at a really high level.

"He's been knocking on that door since he came back, and now seemed like the time to bring him."

Domínguez was a sensation in his first eight MLB games last season, hitting four home runs with one steal before tearing the UCL in his right elbow and undergoing Tommy John surgery. He returned on Aug. 18 to make his first appearance with the Yankees this year, going 0-for-4 as the 27th man at the Little League Classic.

Domínguez has put up massive numbers with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since then, with a .347/.398/.560 slash line, four home runs, 11 RBIs and seven steals in 18 games.

So the Yankees decided now is the time for the Martian to rejoin the big league club.

"We feel like [he's been] stringing together some of his best baseball here over the last couple of weeks, and has earned this opportunity," Boone said.

Domínguez's callup came amid a number of roster moves by the Yankees on Monday that also saw DJ LeMahieu land on the 10-day injured list with a right hip impingement. Speedy infielder Jon Berti also returned from the 60-day injured list, while left-hander Anthony Misiewicz was designated for assignment.

"This is the dream," Domínguez said. "Since I started playing, I wanted to play in the big leagues. And now I'm here again. It's exciting."

Domínguez said he feels much better at the plate now than he did when he first came back from his oblique injury and was struggling. He also said his throwing arm in the outfield is "better than ever" after his comeback from the Tommy John surgery, and that he feels comfortable in left field -- where he could get most of his playing time -- or in center, where he's filling in on Monday with Judge at DH.

Boone said he thinks Domínguez is ready to hold his own both in the Yankees' lineup and in the outfield, citing his "explosive athletic tools" and "quiet confidence."

Yankees fans have been clamoring for Domínguez to be called up. But he has tried not to get caught up in that.

"There's been a lot of ups and downs [this year] with the injuries," Domínguez said. "The only thing I focus on is to stay healthy and be playing. The other part -- what people are saying, if they're gonna call me up or not -- I can't control that."

He's seen what the fans have been saying, though. He said it feels good to have them behind him.

"Of course," Domínguez said. "You can feel that, the support that they give you. It's always good."