Boone denies Gary’s plea to play with pain
ARLINGTON, Tex. — Gary Sanchez tried to talk his way into Wednesday’s lineup, but Aaron Boone wasn’t having it. Wanting to be cautious with Sanchez, the Yankees manager elected to start Austin Romine at catcher against the Rangers. Sanchez exited Tuesday’s game in the sixth inning due to cramping in his right calf.
Sanchez did pinch-hit for Romine in the ninth inning of the team’s 12-10 loss and struck out looking.
“We feel like we dodged a bullet,” Boone said. “He came out here and did some agility and running work and checked out OK. He was actually texting me early this morning that he was good to go, but I just — with the off-day tomorrow — probably felt it was best to hold him back today. But I think he’ll be an option for us tonight if we need him.”
Sanchez missed two games earlier this season after cramping up in an extra-inning loss to Baltimore on April 6. He returned April 10 as the DH before catching on April 11.
“I feel like it’s less (serious than that),” Boone said. “We haven’t dealt with a lot of heat yet so hopefully we squashed it and it won’t be an issue.”
Romine went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a walk. He’s hitting .340. Sanchez is hitting just .228 but has 12 homers, 33 RBI and an .849 OPS.
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Ryan Bollinger had a wild journey to get here — putting on a big-league uniform for the first time in his baseball career.
Bollinger, a 27-year-old lefty who hails from North Dakota, played Independent League Ball in Germany and Australia last season.
“It was still a dream to hopefully get to this point, but I didn’t actually believe it until last night,” said Bollinger, who had been pitching with Double-A Trenton. “I’m excited to be here with all the hard work I’ve done. We’ll see what happens.”
Bollinger was actually drafted in the 47th round by the Phillies in 2009 as a position player before switching to pitching.
“I guess I just couldn’t hit,” said Bollinger, who had been out of affiliated ball since 2014 before signing with the Yankees’ organization in 2018.
Bollinger’s journey will continue in the minors as he was sent down to Double-A Trenton after Wednesday’s game, though.
WEEkEnd Of THE bird?
There’s a “really good chance” that Greg Bird (ankle) returns to the Yankees on either Saturday or Sunday, Aaron Boone said. Bird is finishing off his rehab with Triple-A Scranton. He has homered in two of his last three games. ... Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) will have his final tuneup with Triple-A Scranton on Wednesday before returning to the Bombers on either Friday or Saturday.