Yankees put Austin Wells on IL, recall J.C. Escarra

The New York Yankees made a series of roster moves affecting their catchers on Saturday, placing starter Austin Wells on the injured list with cervical headaches and recalling J.C. Escarra from Triple-A just one day after optioning him. This followed the initial move to option Escarra and select the contract of right-handed hitting catcher Ali Sánchez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The flurry of activity underscores the team's ongoing struggles at the catcher position offensively. Yankees catchers entered Saturday with an American League-worst .171 batting average. Wells, who had started 45 of the team's first 63 games, is hitting .166 with four home runs and seven RBIs. Escarra, in his second season as the backup, was batting .177 with no home runs in 22 games.

Manager Aaron Boone explained the initial decision to promote Sánchez was driven by the team's offensive woes behind the plate and a desire for a different look. He said it felt like the opportunity existed for Sánchez to provide a spark and for Escarra to get more regular playing time in the minors. The move also gave the Yankees a right-handed hitting catcher for matchups against left-handed pitchers, with the...