The New York Yankees activated catcher Austin Wells from the 10-day injured list on June 21, restoring him to the MLB roster after a stint sidelined by cervical headaches.
The Yankees' official transaction log also listed catcher J.C. Escarra as optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on the same day. Wells had been placed on the injured list June 6, and the club sent him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a rehab assignment on June 16.
Wells Returns After Cervical Headaches
The New York Post reported Wells made his first Yankees start Sunday since landing on the injured list. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, but the immediate roster value is the return of a regular catcher after two weeks of shuffling behind the plate.
Wells continued to use a one-piece catcher's mask that resembles a hockey goaltender's mask. The Post reported he made the switch before the injury and said he had not experienced more headaches during the rehab period.
Escarra Optioned As Catching Group Shifts
Escarra's option gives the Yankees a different catching setup while Wells works back into regular duty. Ali Sanchez remained on the active roster after being selected when Wells went on the injured list earlier in June.
The catching situation still has a performance layer. The Post reported the Yankees have been seeking more offense from the position, and Wells used part of his Triple-A assignment to work on his approach at the plate.
The verified roster move is narrower than a long-term fix: Wells is back from the injured list, Escarra is back in Triple-A, and the Yankees have another catcher available again before the next stretch of the schedule.