Apr 13, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; An exterior stadium view before the game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
We get the first of four against the Yankees today.
There were little bits of Jays news this afternoon:
Spencer Miles will either start or follow an opener Thursday.
Alejandro Kirk caught Shane Bieber’s side session. He says the thumb hurts more hitting than catching.
Bieber will throw a live BP tomorrow.
Max Scherzer threw 22 pitches today.
Nathan Lukes starts a rehab tomorrow. So he’ll be back in a few days.
Tonight’s lineup is……interesting:
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
YANKEES
George Springer – DH
Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Ben Rice – DH
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Aaron Judge – RF
Lenyn Sosa – 2B
Cody Bellinger – CF
Daulton Varsho – CF
Amed Rosario – 3B
Ernie Clement – SS
Jazz Chisholm – 2B
Myles Straw – RF
Anthony Volpe – SS
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Max Schuemann – LF
Davis Schneider – LF
J.C. Escarra – C
Patrick Corbin – LHP
Ryan Weathers – LHP
Of course, not of those right-handed batters are hitting at all. Maybe tonight will be the night they do.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 11: Ryan Weathers #40 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 11, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Yankees return to the Bronx on Monday night looking to stop a frustrating stretch after dropping a series to a last-place team over the weekend in Queens. Despite flashes of offense during the Subway Series, the Yankees once again struggled to put games away.
Now, with a four-game series against the reigning American League champions on tap, the Yankees hope they can quickly turn the page on an ugly road trip. That stretch saw the team go 2-7 while also losing Jasson Domínguez (hurt in the getaway-day game immediately prior), José Caballero, and Max Fried to the injured list.
The Blue Jays have had a rough go to start the season, but they did top the Yankees in 8 of 13 meetings last regular season and, of course, took the American League Division Series in a four-game set, losing just once. The Yankees send Ryan Weathers to the mound after the young left-hander turned in arguably the best start of his MLB career last time out in Baltimore.
Weathers carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before the Orioles finally broke through and eventually spoiled the outing after Brent Headrick surrendered the lead. Even with the tough-luck result, Weathers continues showing signs that he is settling into his role in the Yankees rotation.
Tonight also carries a small bit of family history for the lefty. Ryan’s father, David Weathers, was not only a former Yankee, but also originally drafted by the Blue Jays back in 1986. Ryan has only faced Toronto once previously at the big-league level, though that outing went quite well. In his final start of the 2024 season for the Marlins, Weathers tossed 6.1 innings of one-run ball against the Blue Jays while allowing just three hits and striking out six.
Weathers will face several familiar Blue Jays bats including George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Additionally, the Yankees get their first look at right-handed infielder Kazuma Okamoto, who came to Toronto from Japan this past offseason.
Toronto counters with veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin. Now 36 and on his third team in as many seasons, Corbin signed with Toronto after the season had already begun as injuries to José Berríos, Shane Bieber, and Trey Yesavage quickly stretched the organization’s pitching depth. To his credit, Corbin has provided Toronto with respectable innings so far this season, posting a 3.93 ERA through seven starts.
In fact, Corbin has quietly improved since appearing on the verge of being mashed out of the league from 2021 through 2024 with the Nationals. Yankees hitters will likely have opportunities against him, but Corbin’s slider remains capable of creating ugly swings if hitters become too aggressive.
That patience may be especially important for a Yankees lineup still searching for consistency behind Ben Rice, Aaron Judge, and Cody Bellinger. While the Yankees remain firmly in the playoff picture, the offense continues feeling capable of much more than what it has shown. However, one has to wonder how much longer some of these leashes are and what other options might eventually become available.
Tonight the Yankees give Rice a partial day off at designated hitter while slotting Paul Goldschmidt at first base and in the leadoff spot due to the southpaw Corbin on the bump. The Yankees are going right-hand heavy, with Amed Rosario starting at third base and Max Schuemann getting the nod in left field. J.C. Escarra will handle catching duties for the second-straight game and round out the lineup; he’s a lefty but Austin Wells is mired in an ugly slump, so Escarra will get another look while Wells takes a beat.
Monday night may not feature the flashiest pitching matchup on paper, but both teams badly need length from their starters. Toronto continues trying to survive a battered rotation while the Yankees would love to avoid leaning too heavily on a bullpen that has already seen its fair share of recent drama and heavy usage. Note that righty reliever Yovanny Cruz was recalled today and is out in the ‘pen now and could provide support as well. The 26-year-old has been a pro since 2017 and has pitched in multiple organizations, but this would be his long-awaited MLB debut.
After a rough finish in Queens, the Yankees now return home hoping a trip back to Yankee Stadium can help right the ship as the division race starts heating up deeper into the summer. Let’s boogie in the Bronx!
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, SN1
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280, SN590 THE FAN
May 16, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) in the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (20-26) vs.
Time/Place: 6:40 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Covering the Corner Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (2-2, 4.32 ERA) vs. RHP Slade Cecconi (2-4, 5.60 ERA)
Player
G
IP
K%
BB%
GB%
FIP
fWAR
Valdez
9
50.0
18.8
7.6
52.8
4.04
0.6
Cecconi
9
45.0
18.5
8.3
42.8
5.05
0.1
Lineups
GUARDIANS
TIGERS
Angel Martinez – LF
Colt Keith – DH
Jose Ramirez – 3B
Kevin McGonigle – 3B
Chase DeLauter – RF
Dillon Dingler – C
Rhys Hoskins – 1B
Riley Greene – LF
David Fry – DH
Spencer Torkelson – 1B
Travis Bazzana – 2B
Zach McKinstry – 2B
Steven Kwan – CF
Matt Vierling – CF
Austin Hedges – C
Wenceel Perez – RF
Brayan Rocchio – SS
Zack Short – SS
UPDATE: Start time will be delayed by weather.
Due to inclement weather in the area, the start of tonight's Tigers-Guardians game will be delayed. Further updates will be provided when available.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - MAY 01: Shane McClanahan #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays looks on during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Tropicana Field on May 01, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DETROIT (AP) — Tarik Skubal’s multi-million dollar pitching arm feels better than it has all season.
Less than two weeks after having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, the Detroit Tigers ace is already freely throwing bullpen sessions.
“I haven’t had any symptoms since the surgery,” Skubal said Monday. “I didn’t realize how much it was impacting me day-to-day until taking that thing out of there.”
Skubal’s recovery has gone so well that he was called back from the team’s spring training facility in Lakeland, Florida, to continue his rehab program. He threw his full array of pitches “like a normal pregame bullpen” on Monday, prior to Detroit’s home game against Cleveland. It was his second bullpen session since the surgery but he didn’t throw at full velocity.
“The hardest part right now is I feel really good and I want to let it go (but) I’ve been instructed not to,” said Skubal, who has won the American League Cy Young Award the past two seasons.
He is expected to continue a steady progression until he’s ready for a rehab start, but there’s still no established timetable for his return.
“I’d love to sit here and give you an answer when I’m going to be back because I want that same answer,” he said. “I don’t have it but hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”
Manager A.J. Hinch said the team and its medical staff won’t skip any steps.
“Once you put your heads together, it’s just trying to give him more and more, to get him back into the regular routine,” Hinch said.
When the team first announced that Skubal would need surgery, there was a general belief he would be out 2 to 3 months. A NanoScope, which is designed to reduce the invasive nature of the procedure, was used to remove the loose body.
“The first thing they said was, ‘the recovery will be faster,’” Skubal said. “I think I stopped listening after that.”
Skubal, who will be the biggest name free agent on the market after the season, has undergone Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery. Once he returned to the mound after the latter surgery, he became one of the majors’ most dominant pitchers. During his two Cy Young seasons, he compiled a 31-10 record and racked up 469 strikeouts in 387 1/3 innings. He’s 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA in seven starts this season.
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 17: Jacob Young #30 of the Washington Nationals celebrates his home run against the Baltimore Orioles with Luis García Jr. #2 in the dugout during the second inning at Nationals Park on May 17, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Despite missing out on a sweep, the Nats still had a successful weekend against the O’s. They will look to keep the good times rolling against another rival in the Mets. The first time the Nats and Mets played, the Nationals managed to win two out of three. Now, they will match up for four games against a Mets team that is playing better baseball.
The Nats are making a couple lineup changes to open this series. Jorbit Vivas will replace Nasim Nunez at second base. Drew Millas will also do the catching instead of Keibert Ruiz. Besides that, it will be the same group as yesterday. Jake Irvin has not been great lately, but he will look to right the ship tonight.
The Mets are getting some big contributions from younger players. Carson Benge has settled in after a rough start to his big league career. A.J. Ewing has been fantastic to start his big league career. Those two and Juan Soto have been the heavy hitters in this Mets lineup. Bo Bichette has had a tough start to his Mets career, but we know the talent is there. Christian Scott is on the bump for the Mets tonight.
This series is a big NL East clash. After beating the Yankees in the subway series, the Mets are looking to make a move up the standings. The Nats are going to try and hold them off. This will be a very fun four game series to watch. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Trevor Rogers #28 of the Baltimore Orioles poses for a photo during Spring Training photo day at Ed Smith Stadium on February 18, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles start a very tough stretch of baseball tonight. Six of their next nine games are against the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, who have the most wins in the American League. You can check out details of the Rays’ season so far in our series preview, but suffice it to say they have been kind of the opposite of the Orioles this year.
This is the first time the Orioles have visited Tropicana Field since 2024, after the Rays spent 2025 at a spring training site while their ballpark was repaired.
Some Orioles batters appear to be heating up, and it would be a nice change of pace if they would actually follow through and stay good. Gunnar Henderson and Coby Mayo are showing signs of life. Tyler O’Neill has started hitting balls harder. Even Colton Cowser hit a home run. Pete Alonso remains ice cold.
Trevor Rogers gets the ball for the Orioles tonight, and it would be another nice change of pace if he could manage to look anything like the Trevor Rogers of 2025. Come on, Trev! We want to believe!
For the Rays, it’s lefty Shane McClanahan. Gulp. He has a 2.27 ERA and an active 21.2-inning scoreless streak. I’m gonna be honest, I don’t feel like the Orioles have a chance against this guy. But maybe I’ll be wrong. That’s why they play the games, as the saying goes.
Orioles lineup
Taylor Ward (R) LF Gunnar Henderson (L) SS Adley Rutschman (S) C Pete Alonso (R) DH Tyler O’Neill (R) RF Coby Mayo (R) 1B Jeremiah Jackson (R) 2B Weston Wilson (R) 3B Blaze Alexander (R) CF
LET BASALLO FACE LEFTIES! Also, I can’t wait to see what kind of shenanigans Blaze Alexander gets up to in center field.
Rays lineup
Yandy Díaz (R) DH Jonathan Aranda (L) 1B Junior Caminero (R) 3B Ryan Vilade (R) RF Jonny DeLuca (R) CF Chandler Simpson (L) LF Nick Fortes (R) C Taylor Walls (S) SS Carson Williams (R) 2B
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during an MLB game on May 13, 2026, at Rate Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 20-27 Royals have fallen back into a tie with the Detroit Tigers for last place in the AL Central. The Royals managed to blank the Cardinals in a 2-0 victory yesterday, but that was after six straight losses. This team seems to ping-pong from elation to despair a lot. Right now, there’s a little too much despair.
Hopefully a return to the K can add some hope. After that miserable road trip, the Royals welcome the similarly-despondent 19-27 Boston Red Sox to Kansas City. The Red Sox are also recent losers, having dropped 2 of 3 games against each of the Braves, Phillies, and Rays over the past week+.
Just a few weeks ago, the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and a whole bunch of his staff. Wilyer Abreu, Willson Contreras, and Ceddanne Rafaela are about the only hitters having a good season for the Red Sox. Offseason trade target Jarren Duran has scuffled pretty badly to a .183/.243/.305 line. Trevor Story similarly struggled before recently being put on the IL. They’ve had some decent starting pitching but their star – Garrett Crochet – pitched to a 6.30 ERA before also being put on the IL.
The Royals have their own issues, of course. Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino are similarly struggling in the middle of the lineup. Cole Ragans is on the IL. The bullpen is suspect.
The Royals will put Seth Lugo on the mound to start. He’s somewhat returned to form with a 3.76 ERA, but there are a lot of mixed signals there. His strikeout rate is stable compared to prior years but his walk rate is up. His BABIP is wayyyy up. The key thing is that he has limited home runs – he has somehow given up only 1 homer all season. That will paper over a lot of issues but I doubt that is sustainable.
The Red Sox start Sonny Gray, who is in the final year of a 3/$76M contract. In his older age (Gray is 36), he’s pivoted to being Mark Buehrle. Very low strikeout rate, low walk rate, low homers. Limits damage on contact. Gray has managed a 3.18 ERA doing this. It’s unprecedented for Sonny – this would be the lowest strikeout rate of his career, by a lot.
A stoppable force meets a movable object. Let’s see which team blinks and scurries away.
Keep in mind the original game time was 6:40pm US Central. Apparently because of the possibility of bad weather, the game has been moved up to 6:10pm US Central. You can watch on Royals.tv or listen on 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch in the third inning between the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Saturday, March 28, 2026. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Hello again, friends! It’s time to watch the Red Sox flail away once more on a Monday, this time in Kansas City, where the game has been moved up by 30 minutes to hopefully avoid bad weather, now boasting a 7:10 EDT start time. On the bright side, Sonny Gray, one of the team’s best stories this year (not that it’s saying much) takes the mound against Kyle Isbel. On the less bright side, a) the aforementioned weather and b) this is still a lineup that has Mickey Gasper DHing and batting second. Woof. Anyhow:
By contrast, the Royals’ #2 hitter plays shortstop very well and is currently the No. 2 favorite to win the AL MVP award. The wise man bowed and spoke and all that jazz. Here’s the full lineup:
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 03: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot park on May 03, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NL East leading Atlanta Braves, who have the highest winning percentage, Division lead, and Swag LevelTM in the league, have made a transaction before tonight’s game with the Miami Marlins.
The #Braves today reinstated OF Ronald Acuña Jr. from the injured list and placed INF Kyle Farmer on the 10-day injured list, backdated to May 16, with a strained right forearm.
The Braves have reinstated Ronald Acuña from the 10-day Injured List. Ronald has been recovering from a Grade 1 hamstring strain since May 3rd. Acuña has been taking batting practice and running in the outfield during the last home stand, but have been insistent that he won’t return until he can play the outfield. However, he will not immediately be inserted into tonight’s starting lineup. But with Walt Weiss at the reins, anything could happen. He could start tomorrow on the Miami Marlins’ IBD Day. Well, they do like beaning Ronald. There’s a dad joke in there somewhere that you can write yourself.
To make way for Acuña, Kyle Farmer will join the Injured List with a strained right forearm. It’s tough to tell if this is a “strained right forearm”, or one that will require scans, X-rays and some extended time off. So the listed outfielders tonight will be Acuña, Jose Azocar, Michael Harris, and Mike Yastrzemski, although Mauricio Dubon plays where he wants.
They weren’t kidding around about Tarik Skubal’s accelerated rehabilitation timeline.
Less than two weeks after having surgery to remove a loose body from his left elbow, the two-time defending American League Cy Young Award winner was back on a mound Monday, May 17 at Comerica Park. Unfortunately for the struggling Detroit Tigers it was the bullpen mound, but it does make a June return seem possible.
It’s a rare ray of hope for the Tigers, who have gone 2-10 since Skubal went on the injured list May 4.
Skubal threw long toss in the outfield before rain forced him inside for a bullpen session, according to reports. It was his second mound session since surgery. He is beginning his return to a five-day schedule of throwing.
On May 6, Skubal underwent a Nanoscope procedure, a less invasive method than traditional arthroscopic surgery. The Tigers had hoped this would fast-track his return.
So far, it appears to be doing that, but manager A.J. Hinch refuses to be pinned down on a timeline.
In seven starts before the injury, Skubal went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP, striking out 45 and issuing just six walks over 43 1/3 innings.
Over the past two seasons, Skubal went 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 469 strikeouts in 387 1/3 innings. He won back-to-back AL Cy Young Awards and led the AL in ERA both years. In 2025, he posted a 2.21 ERA and a 241-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 31 starts.
Skubal, who had Tommy John surgery in college and flexor tendon surgery in August 2022, is in his walk year. He is a free agent after this season and expected to command one of the largest pitching contracts in MBL history.
The Tigers entered Monday's play at 20-27, battered by injuries and in a wide-open AL Central race.
May 9, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (12) hits a three-run home run against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images | Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
BOSTON - JULY 7: As an appropriate metaphor for the Red Sox season thus far, a dark cloud hangs over Fenway Park as the game was delayed for around 35 minutes due to rain and tornado warnings in the area. The Boston Red Sox hosted the Chicago White Sox in a MLB game at Fenway Park. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Tonight’s game between the Red Sox and Royals has already been moved up by 30 minutes, and for good reason. Originally scheduled for a 7:40pm (eastern time) first pitch, we’re not set to go at 7:10pm eastern.
Why you ask? Well, let’s just say Mother Nature is cooking up a whopper in the central Great Plains. By late afternoon, conditions will support numerous severe thunderstorms firing across Kansas and southern Nebraska. And, as you might expect, severe weather in this part of the country in the spring isn’t to be trifled with.
These supercells will be capable of producing large hail, strong winds, frequent lightning, and even some destructive, long-track tornadoes. As the evening progresses, these cells will likely merge into a large squall line that races into northwest Missouri where the Red Sox will be playing the Royals and probably have just fallen to 0-18 with runners in scoring position.
Below is a simulated radar from the HRRR model showing the projected conditions each hour between 6:00pm and Midnight eastern time:
Now, here’s the good news: Kauffman Stadium is located on the southeast side of Kansas City, which should buy a little bit more time before the terrible tempest arrives.
However, the exact speed of the storm is going to depend partially on how fast / if the individual supercells in Kansas and Nebraska form into a solid line as shown on the simulated radar above. If they do, they will move quicker, arrive faster, and of course be a bigger threat to cut the game short.
On the other hand, if the supercells stay separate and don’t form into a big line, they will move slower. But here’s the catch, the separated supercells scenario is also more capable of producing larger hail, and yes, one of those destructive, long-track tornadoes.
In other words, if we get that scenario and this games goes extra innings, somebody might be visiting the land of Oz.
Carson Benge – RF Bo Bichette – SS Juan Soto – DH Mark Vientos – 1B Brett Baty – 3B Marcus Semien – 2B A.J. Ewing – CF Tyrone Taylor – LF Luis Torrens – C
SP: Christian Scott (RHP)
Nationals lineup
James Wood – RF Luis Garcia – 1B Brady House – 3B CJ Abrams – SS Daylen Lile – LF Jacob Young – CF Jose Tena – DH Jorbit Vivas – 2B Drew Millas – C
SP: Jake Irvin (RHP)
Broadcast info
First pitch: 6:45 PM EDT TV: SNY Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
Yankees manager Aaron Boone hit on several topics on Monday ahead of the first game of a three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays in The Bronx...
With Elmer Rodriguez being optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following his start Sunday and Yovanny Cruz’s promotion, the focus turns to what that means for Cole’s return from Tommy John surgery and his 2026 season debut.
“We’ll see, we’re kinda talking about that here today and tomorrow,” Boone said about Cole. “And we’ll make a call one way or the other.”
Boone added that they are going to talk with Cole to see what “makes the most sense” with him moving forward and if his next outing is another rehab start at Triple-A or with the Yanks.
“Just kinda everyone that’s involved from the training staff, Gerrit, just wanting to do the right thing, what’s the right timing?” Boone said. “Again, whatever we do, it’s with the long game in mind. A need doesn't necessarily mean we're bringing him back.
“If we feel like he’s absolutely ready to go and checked all the boxes, then we’ll make that call.”
With that said, he added that Cole’s next start being with the Yankees is "on the table.”
Cole last pitched on Saturday for Scranton, when he allowed one run on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts, which Boone called “mostly excellent.”
“Good, he looks really good,” Boone said of Cole’s start. “I think this outing was a little more with competition in mind, going to get guys out and stepping on it stuff-wise. I think he threw 85, 86 pitches. Finished really strong. I think I’ve watched every single pitch he’s made in rehab. I think it’s gone really well.”
On Cruz’s promotion, the manager said they “felt like we needed the extra arm in [the bullpen] today.”
“We really like the upside, obviously,” Boone said of Cruz. “Really kinda caught our eye at the end of [spring training] with some really strong outings. Obviously, it is the big arm, 100 mph, good slider, has had some success down there, has had some struggles down there.
“Just felt like we needed the extra coverage today, felt like he was the guy in line.”
For the second-straight day, Wells is not in the Yankees lineup as the catcher is going through it at the plate, batting .164 (10-for-61) with 20 strikeouts to eight walks for a .519 OPS in his last 19 games. The skipper is giving the backstop the day, but it doesn’t seem like this will be a long-term absence.
"Obviously been scuffling this trip,” Boone said of Wells, who is 2-for-14 with seven strikeouts in his last four games. “[Sunday’s] game, the way it turned out with him getting in there for half the game, I just felt like today with the lefty, another good day to have him down."
Boone believes that despite Wells’ struggles of late, he will return to form.
“He’s always been a hitter, and he’s had some inconsistencies certainly at this level, but he’s also hit at this level,” the manager said. “He’s hit 20 homers a couple times, has shown stretches of where he’s a really tough out, there’s some power there, obviously.”
Sep 23, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) reacts after hitting a RBI double against the Chicago White Sox during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. / John Jones-Imagn Images
Boone noted that Wells, who won’t turn 27 until July, is “still a fairly young player in the league” and is dealing with a famously difficult position to balance hitting and defense.
“When you’re a front-line catcher, too, and there’s a lot of responsibilities on your plate, as we talk about with a lot of guys, it doesn’t just happen overnight,” Boone said, adding later, "He's catching really well, which is the No. 1 job, right?
“… He’s certainly, I think, established himself as an outstanding defensive catcher and a leader of our staff. So he’s been able to separate the two, which is very important, but I expect more out of him offensively, and we gotta keep working to try and get him on track."
Wells' biggest strength behind the plate is his framing, and he's in the 95th percentile in stealing calls in MLB.
Ben Rice could catch, but with him offering such great production at the plate – leading the league in OPS at 1.077 with 15 home runs in 42 games – and having a hand injury earlier in the month, it doesn’t appear the Yanks want to risk him behind the plate.
Asked if he expects Wells to be back in the lineup Tuesday against Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease, Boone said, “We’ll see.”
In the meantime, J.C. Escarra again starts in Wells' place, but his hitting isn't much to write home about either, with a .174/.224/.283 slash line for a .507 OPS in 16 games this year.
