J.C.

Escarra

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.

Escarra was demoted to clear a spot on New York’s active roster for newly acquired outfielder Austin Slater. The 30-year-old rookie has been phenomenal defensively this season, but his roster spot is expendable with Ben Rice capable of handling the backup catching duties behind starter Austin Wells.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters Wells underwent testing that ruled out any potential blood clots and that the issue hasn’t impacted his on-field performance. He added that the 25-year-old backstop will remain on the bench through Tuesday’s game against the Blue Jays, but could potentially return on Wednesday. It’ll be J.C. Escarra and Ben Rice handling the catching duties in his absence. There’s always a risk Wells could require a trip to the injured list if the issue persists, but it sounds like there’s optimism he’ll be ready to return at some point later this week. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Escarra was away from the club for a couple days over the weekend on paternity leave. The Yankees opted to leave him on the active roster and roll with Austin Wells and Ben Rice — who is up to nine appearances at the position already this season — at catcher during his absence. Wells is getting the night off on Monday evening with Rice at first base and batting sixth against legendary righty Max Scherzer.