J.C.

Escarra

The Yankees could have saved themselves (and us!) a couple of transactions if they weren’t in such a hurry to demote Escarra after last night’s game. He figures to be the team’s primary catcher against righties until Austin Wells returns.

The 31-year-old backstop really struggled offensively during his time with the Yankees, slashing a woeful .177/.235/.258 with zero homers, seven RBI and a 15/5 K/BB ratio in 68 plate appearances. The expectation is that the Yankees will promote Ali Sanchez from Triple-A on Saturday to take Escarra’s spot on the active roster.

It’s a standard rest day for a catcher with a day game after a night game. It’s unfortunate that it comes after Wells had a solid performance on Tuesday night, but hopefully he can carry that over after the brief off day. J.C. Escarra will catch and bat seventh.

Escara’s second-inning homer against Rays starter Ryan Pepiot traveled 438 feet and left his bat at 108.4 mph. The 30-year-old backstop’s spot on New York’s season-opening roster likely comes down to whether they carry Jasson Domínguez in a reserve role and feel comfortable with Ben Rice as their lone backup catcher behind starter Austin Wells.

Escarra has his first homer of the spring with the two-run jack. The 30-year-old seems likely to be the backup backstop to Austin Wells, but he’s one of the catchers who wouldn’t be a plug-in-play fantasy option if something caused him to become the everyday option.

That means the Yankees with carry three catchers with Austin Wells and Ben Rice also on the roster. Perhaps Rice will be used mostly as a first baseman in this series, but Escarra has been in the minors for the entire month of September, so this comes as a bit of a surprise.

The 30-year-old backstop joined the Yankees when rosters expanded for September as a third catching option. It’s possible that with Jazz Chisholm dealing with a minor knee injury that they’ll prefer to have an extra infielder join the roster instead on Friday. Stay tuned.

Escarra will serve as the Yankees’ third catcher behind Austin Wells and Ben Rice. He’s hit .202/.296/.333 with two homers in 98 plate appearances this season.

Amed Rosario is set to come off the injured list on Tuesday. Escarra got one at-bat in nine days with the Yankees and produced an RBI groundout.

Escarra returns to the majors prior to Sunday’s game against the Astros with versatile utility specialist Amed Rosario landing on the injured list with a shoulder sprain. The 30-year-old backstop provides New York with some additional catching depth with Ben Rice playing regularly between first base and DH.