Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is coming off of a 2019 season in which he belted a career-best 34 home runs. But he was also limited to just 106 games as he dealt with a groin injury.

But now that MLB’s hiatus is over and summer camp is in session, Sanchez is looking forward to playing as many games as possible behind the plate for the Bombers this season, though he’s not sure what that exact number may be given the 60-game schedule.

“As far as the amount of games I’m going to play, I’m not sure,” Sanchez said Wednesday via a translator. “I can tell you that any time my name is in the lineup, I’m going to be ready to play.”

The Yankees have played two sim games this week in preparation of their July 23^rd opener against the Washington Nationals, and Sanchez has gotten time behind the plate in both games.

“Two games back-to-back, two innings and then four innings. To be able to get out there last night, four innings with Gerrit [Cole], I thought they did a very good job,” manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday. “They ran through a mock kind of game plan beforehand and had what would be like a normal meeting between pitching coach, Gary, (catching coordinator) Tanner [Swanson] and Gerrit, and I felt like they were on a good page last night.

“Kind of looking back at some of it from last night, I thought Gary did a really good job. I’m confident that bat’s going to be there. He hadn’t really hit much in spring in his handful of at-bats. Thought he had a really good BP session today, but I’m encouraged about where he is right now.”

While spring camps were shut down, Sanchez went home to the Dominican Republic, where he was able to continue to work on offensive and defensive drills.

Now, the Yankees’ backstop says he should be ready to catch a full nine innings by the time the season starts.

“I actually spent about a couple of days after we shut down in Tampa and then I left immediately to DR,” said Sanchez. “The reason why is because I have a complex over there that I use in the offseason to work out, and it was easy for me to stay active, keep working on my defense, offense.”

Added Boone: “I think he’s come in here and looked good to me.”

Popular in the Community