Report indicates the club plans to demote J.C. Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to create space behind the plate for Wells. The expectation is that Wells will be activated around the upcoming Sunday, with Escarra being optioned to keep Ali Sánchez on the active roster to address right-handed hitting and to preserve catching depth, following the Yankees’ 10-2 defeat to the Cincinnati Reds.
Escarra has had a brief and challenging stint. The left-handed hitter singled in his only at-bat on Saturday after taking over defensively in the eighth inning. The 31-year-old, recalled after Wells went on the injured list earlier in the month with cervical headaches, has posted a .188/.239/.271 line with seven RBIs across 32 games this season, including five doubles and one triple.
Ali Sánchez has primarily faced left-handed pitching. In 16 at-bats over eight games this season, Sánchez has five hits and two RBIs. Since 2020, Sánchez has played for six different organizations, including time with the Mets, Cardinals, Marlins, Blue Jays, and Red Sox, in addition to his current stint with the Yankees.
With Wells set to receive the majority of starts upon his return, the Yankees are clearly aiming to keep Sánchez as a bench option versus left-handed pitching.
Wells was expected to work out with the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate on Saturday before returning to the Bronx. He has had a difficult season at the plate, hitting .166 with four homers, seven RBIs, and 45 strikeouts in 47 games. Despite these numbers, the 26-year-old slugged 34 homers across the 2024-25 period and remains the most accomplished catcher in the Yankees’ system.
Manager Aaron Boone indicated Wells will likely be back in the lineup on Father’s Day to face Reds ace Chase Burns.
