Yankees Option J.C. Escarra in Behind-the-Plate Shake-Up, Search for Stability
May 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra (25) and relief pitcher Camilo Doval (75) celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
May 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra (25) and relief pitcher Camilo Doval (75) celebrate after defeating the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Yankees finally made a fresh change behind the plate after Friday night’s 5-3 loss to the Red Sox.
They optioned J.C. Escarra to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and are set to bring up right-handed catcher Ali Sánchez, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network.
"With JC Escarra being optioned, the Yankees will promote Ali Sanchez, a right-handed hitting catcher, from AAA. Sanchez has a .702 OPS. Also, Sanchez has hit 5 of 6 HRs vs RHP," Jack Curry posted on X.
J.C. Escarra primarily played as the backup catcher to starter Austin Wells. Across 22 games and 18 starts this season, Escarra was struggling with a slash line of .177/.235/.258 with zero home runs, seven RBIs, and a -0.1 bWAR.
With Wells, Escarra ranked 28th in all of baseball in catcher OPS (.534), 29th in batting average (.173), 24th in on-base percentage (.272), and 28th in slugging percentage (.262), according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Mar 11, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees catcher Ali Sanchez (29) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees catcher Ali Sanchez (29) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Sánchez, 29, has played in 50 major league games across four seasons and has had a career .183 average. Before his call-up, he hit .227 with six home runs and 11 RBIs in 40 games this season at Triple-A.
Dan Martin of the NY Post wrote, "The righty-hitting Sánchez is not expected to be a long-term solution, but carrying two catchers that hit from the left side — and not well — hasn’t worked."
So, what's the long-term solution behind the plate?
The lack of offense sparks debate over whether the Yankees should convert standout Ben Rice back to catcher once Giancarlo Stanton returns from his calf strain.
Stanton, who is currently sidelined, is expected to return to the active roster in two to three weeks. Under this scenario, Stanton would slot back in as DH veteran Paul Goldschmidt would handle first base, and Rice can easily move behind the plate.
"It's a fair question," GM Brian Cashman said.
"It's something I'll defer to down the line. Rice has been fantastic and is certainly capable of going behind the plate. We’ll kick it around down the line. It’s not something that’s on the radar now."
Rice started 26 games at catcher during the 2025 season. But this season, he became a massive offensive force playing primarily at first base and DH.
Pushing Rice back behind the plate can affect that production. And the Yankees do not want to pull him away from that unless they have to. Especially when Aaron Judge is out of the lineup for an extended period.
And despite all the noise about a catcher's trade, Cashman made it clear on Friday that he is not pulling the trigger on any outside help yet.
“Hopefully they saved all their bullets for now,” Cashman said about his catchers and third basemen.
“They’re more than capable. They’re good players and we do believe in them. … Hopefully the best is yet to come from those positions,” he added.
The Yankees will face the Boston Red Sox next on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.
Read more at the New York Yankees Community!
Written by
Md Saife Fida
Edited by
Koushik Biswas