Yankee catchers ready to rebound
A Platinum Glove winner and surprise All-Star in 2022, Jose Trevino entered his second season with the Yankees with higher expectations than his first.
But a right wrist injury hampered the catcher’s production between spring training and July 17, Trevino’s final game of the 2023 campaign. The 31-year-old only appeared in 55 contests before undergoing season-ending surgery on his triangular fibrocartilage complex ligament.
Over the weekend, Trevino said that his recovery has gone well. Asked if he will have any restrictions in spring training, the backstop made like a pitcher and shook off the question before adding that he’s “ready to go.”
“I’m itching,” to play Trevino continued at Pinstripe Pride, an autograph signing at New Jersey’s American Dream mall. “I’m itching.”
During the Winter Meetings, Aaron Boone mentioned that Trevino had been doing well this offseason. The manager also said that he’s eager to get him back behind the plate.
“The loss of him last year was enormous for us,” Boone said. “I don’t want to understate how important I think Jose is to our team and to our clubhouse — what a force he is in our room — and we missed that.”
The Yankees’ catching configuration has undergone significant changes since Trevino last appeared in a game.
Kyle Higashioka, traded to the Padres in the Juan Soto deal, is gone. Ben Rortvedt assumed Trevino’s responsibilities as Gerrit Cole’s de facto personal catcher, helping the ace close out a Cy Young season. Carlos Narvaez and Agustin Ramirez, two players without major league experience, have been placed on the 40-man roster. Ben Rice, another youngster, has emerged on the farm, and the Yankees have also inked some depth to minor league deals.
And then there is the catcher who could share the most playing time with Trevino this season: Austin Wells.
A top prospect, Wells earned a promotion at the end of last season as the Yankees turned their attention toward the future. Considered a bat-first prospect and poor receiver, the 2020 first-round pick impressed behind the plate before making strides at it after a slow start. While Wells only hit .229 over 19 games, the lefty-swinger batted .355 with four home runs and nine RBI over his last eight appearances.
All the while, he endeared himself to Yankees pitchers with his game-calling and planning.
“My biggest takeaway is that I’d say it’s the same game really no matter the level,” Wells, speaking at the autograph event, said of his intro to the majors. “So just getting adjusted to the extra-curricular stuff, more fans, bigger stadiums. I think that was great for me to be able to do that in September so I can hit the ground running this year.”
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Wells and Trevino split playing time somewhat evenly this year, assuming both stay healthy. Trevino is still the superior defender, a valued veteran, and will surely return to being Cole’s default batterymate. Wells, meanwhile, offers pop from the left side, giving Boone some lineup flexibility.
Rortvedt could also factor in, but he is a light hitter who is out of minor league options. His name has come up in trade rumors this offseason, and he could be dealt by the time rosters start to crunch at the end of camp.
An early arrival to Tampa, Wells said he has not been told what to expect as far as his role or playing time goes. This winter, he has focused on improving his swing decisions and learning the Yankees’ new pitchers.
“He’s done a phenomenal job in preparation for this year,” Trevino said. “Just watching what he’s been doing in the offseason, calling back and forth, seeing what his thoughts are, he’s done a good job. He’s gonna continue to do that.”
Wells believes 2024 will be a “great year for the pitching staff.” He’s not the first Yankee to express confidence in the team’s arms, but the rotation has a few concerns. Three-fifths of the group — Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes and newcomer Marcus Stroman — missed notable time with injuries last year. Rodón and Cortes pitched poorly when they were on the mound.
Trevino has already started to do his homework on Stroman, a sinkerballer who adds some variety to the rotation. That prep included conversations with players who have caught the righty in the past.
“They’ve given me some good information,” Trevino said, declining to name names. “But watching his film and seeing what he likes to do, I think it’s gonna be a good little combo. I’m excited.”