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.
The Yankees optioned catcher J.C. Escarra to Triple-A after Saturday’s 10-2 loss to the Reds at Yankee Stadium, clearing space for Wells’ return.
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.”
The Yankees haven’t gotten much offense behind the plate this year. With Wells on the injured list, Escarra has received reps as the starting catcher, batting .188 (16-for-85) through Saturday.
Ali Sánchez, who started on Saturday, has gone 5-for-16 (.313) across eight games since being promoted from Triple-A.
Sánchez is the Yankees’ first right-handed-hitting catcher since Jose Trevino’s departure after the 2024 season; they carried three left-handed-hitting catchers all of last season, with Wells, Escarra and Ben Rice.