Gary

Sánchez

The deal is now official. Sánchez returns to Milwaukee following a one-year detour in Baltimore where injuries limited him to just 30 games. The 33-year-old backstop’s time as a fantasy-relevant option are clearly over, but he provides the Brewers with a reliable veteran backup behind ironman starter William Contreras.

Sánchez hit .231/.297/.418 for the Orioles last year, in 101 plate appearances, missing a lot of the season with a knee sprain, and played for the Brewers in 2024. The 33-year-old would seem likely to be their backup catcher behind William Contreras should this agreement be finalized.

It seems unlikely that Sánchez will make it back before the regular season wraps up since he’s been out since early July recovering from a right knee sprain. He’ll be a full-go heading into the offseason.

Sanchez has already been sidelined since early July due to a right knee sprain and is still rehabbing, so this move won’t impact his timeline at all. It was done as a procedural move to clear a spot on the team’s 40-man roster for Vimael Machin on Friday.

So, Sept. 1 at best. The Orioles hope to have Adley Rutschman back right upon the conclusion of the break or soon thereafter. They’re getting by with Jacob Stallings and Alex Jackson at catcher for now.

Baltimore has opted to bring up newly-acquired journeyman backstop Alex Jackson from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of Sunday’s series finale against Atlanta while Gary Sánchez hitting the injured list with a right knee sprain. It’ll be Jacob Stallings handling the catching duties for now as the injuries continue to pile up at the position. The Orioles have even brought up David Bañuelos on the taxi squad as extra insurance. The 20-year-old top prospect holds a .920 OPS with 16 homers through 57 games this season at the Triple-A level. He’s one of the few prospects left in the minors that could make some serious noise for fantasy purposes in the second half.

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters Sunday that Sánchez has been diagnosed with a moderate right PCL strain. It’ll be Alex Jackson, not top prospect Samuel Basallo, coming up to join Baltimore’s catching mix behind Jacob Stallings. It’s a perplexing situation, but clearly the Orioles want to keep Basallo in the minors and get through the All-Star break when it’s possible Adley Rutschman will be ready to return from the injured list.

Sánchez will sit out Sunday’s contest after making an early exit from Saturday’s tilt with right knee pain. The 32-year-old backstop figures to avoid the injured list for the moment. Jacob Stallings will handle the catching duties with David Bañuelos coming up to join the club’s taxi squad in case of an emergency.

It’s not known when the injury occurred. The 32-year-old has been replaced by Jacob Stallings. There should be more info on Sánchez’s availability soon, but the Orioles may need to make a move just based on the plethora of injuries that have occurred behind the plate. Any sort of extended absence could force Baltimore to promote top prospect Samuel Basallo to the majors.

Sanchez victimized Rangers’ right-hander Jacob deGrom for his 381-foot (105.0 mph EV) two-run shot in the fourth inning, pulling the Orioles to within a run at 3-2. That would be as close as they would get. The 32-year-old backstop finished the night 1-for-3 and is now hitting .259/.330/.469 with five homers and 24 RBI in 91 plate appearances on the season.