Yankees Call Up Right-Handed Catcher Sánchez to MLB Roster

Yankees Catcher Shuffle: Escarra Out, Sánchez In Amid Offensive Woes

The Bronx Bombers just made a move behind the plate. They optioned left-handed-hitting catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after a tough 5-3 loss to the Red Sox.

This move feels like a clear signal. The Yankees want to shake up their struggling offense.

Right-handed-hitting catcher Ali Sánchez is reportedly on his way up from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Sources close to ESPN say he’ll join the big club on Saturday.

A Look at the Numbers: Assessing the Catcher Situation

This catcher change isn’t just about swapping names. The Yankees’ catchers have struggled to produce at the plate.

Austin Wells has been the main backup. But honestly, the team’s overall catching OPS looks pretty bleak.

Escarra’s Exit and Sánchez’s Arrival

J.C. Escarra played in 22 games and started 18 times as Austin Wells’ understudy. He leaves the roster after hitting just .177 with a .235 on-base percentage and a .258 slugging percentage in 68 plate appearances.

Escarra gave the Yankees a left-handed option against righties. Still, his bat just hasn’t been enough.

Now, Ali Sánchez steps in. He’s 29, a veteran, and in 40 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year, he’s hitting .227 with six home runs and a .702 OPS.

Sánchez’s numbers in the minors aren’t blowing anyone away. But he does bring some major league experience—50 appearances over four seasons.

The Yankees plan to use Sánchez against left-handed starters. Maybe he’ll give them a new look and a little more punch in those matchups.

Broader Offensive Challenges and Future Possibilities

The Yankees’ problems at catcher really just reflect a bigger offensive slump. Austin Wells has struggled badly; his OPS sits at .533, ranking him 212th among players with at least 160 plate appearances.

With Aaron Judge still out for a long stretch, the lineup feels even more pressure to produce. It’s not just Wells—key bats across the roster have gone cold.

The combined OPS for Yankees catchers this season is .527. That’s 29th in Major League Baseball, which is, honestly, pretty bleak.

It’s a glaring weak spot, and the front office knows it.

The Ben Rice Conundrum: A Potential Catcher Solution?

If you look past the immediate options, there’s another name floating around: Ben Rice. He’s a lefty bat, originally developed as a catcher, and he’s started 26 games behind the plate in the minors.

But this year, Rice has mostly played first base and DH. The team just hasn’t used him much as a catcher lately.

General Manager Brian Cashman has said Rice is “certainly capable of going behind the plate.” Still, the Yankees haven’t really tried it yet.

Why not? Maybe they want to keep his bat in the lineup at first or DH. Or maybe there’s some bigger plan we just haven’t seen unfold.

Things could get interesting soon, though. Giancarlo Stanton might return from the injured list in about a month.

If Stanton comes back to claim DH duties, and Paul Goldschmidt holds down first base, putting Rice behind the plate could open up a spot for Stanton’s bat. It’s a tricky puzzle, and you have to wonder if the Yankees are already weighing these options.

Right now, though, they’re focused on the short term. They’re trying to work Ali Sánchez into the lineup to help against lefties, and they’re hoping Austin Wells can turn things around.

The Yankees are scrambling a bit, but they’re not just sitting back. With Judge still out, every move feels like it matters a little more. This catcher shuffle isn’t just about filling a spot—it’s a real attempt to find some kind of steady rhythm at the plate.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Sources: Yankees to call up right-handed catcher Sánchez