Wells set to return from IL in Reds-Yanks Sunday finale

NEW YORK – Austin Wells is expected to rejoin the Yankees for Sunday’s series finale against the Reds, manager Aaron Boone said on Saturday.

Wells has been on the 10-day injured list since June 6 with cervical headaches. He has played three Minor League rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, including a two-homer game on June 18 vs. the Columbus Clippers.

Boone said Wells would go through hitting drills on Saturday with the Triple-A club, continuing his work with Jarret DeHart, the club’s director of hitting. Boone said Wells and DeHart have been focusing on mechanical adjustments.

“He’s working on just being the best he can be,” Boone said.

Wells was batting .166 with four homers, seven RBIs and a .533 OPS in 145 at-bats before going on the IL. He plans to use a hockey goaltender-style mask upon his return, hoping to alleviate the headache issue.

"It felt a little sturdier," Wells said earlier this month. "Whatever was going on this year, it wasn't really working. I'll try everything.”

With Wells on the injured list, J.C. Escarra has received reps as the starting catcher, batting .179 (15-for-84) through Friday.

Ali Sánchez, who started on Saturday, has gone 4-for-14 (.286) across seven games since being promoted from Triple-A.

It remains to be seen how the Yankees will address Wells’ return. They optioned Escarra to Triple-A earlier this month in favor of Sánchez, wanting to add a right-handed-hitting catcher to the mix after not carrying one for the entire 2025 season. Then Escarra was quickly recalled when Wells landed on the injured list.