Sitting ugly
Slumping Sanchez riding bench during Nats series
Gary Sanchez’s slump has landed him on the bench, likely for two days in a row.
The struggling catcher didn’t play in the Yankees’ 3-0 win over the Nationals on Tuesday night, and manager Aaron Boone said he was planning on giving Sanchez the night off Wednesday, as well.
“I just feel like he’s a little banged up and with an off day [Monday] and Sonny [Gray] pitching [Wednesday], we just felt it was a chance to give him three days to hopefully freshen up a little bit,” Boone said.
Sanchez thought, when he arrived at the Stadium, that he would be playing.
“Boone told me the plan [Tuesday],’’ Sanchez said through an interpreter. “I respect his decision.”
Sanchez’s woes at the plate have nagged him for much of the season and he went just 2-for-29 on the recent trip. Former manager Joe Girardi sat Sanchez last August more because of his attitude. Boone has no complaints in that area, he said.
The catcher has battled a calf injury and Boone also mentioned issues with his shoulder and knee, but Sanchez said physical problems aren’t the reason he has been so ineffective.
“Not at all,’’ Sanchez said. “The reason why I’m not hitting is I’m missing pitches I usually hit, pitches I don’t miss. Unfortunately, I’ve been missing those.” Boone wasn’t as sure. “He’s fine, he’s good to play,’’ Boone said. “Overall, he’s banged up and maybe that’s leaking in a little bit. … But I feel like where he’s at physically, he’s more than capable of raking like we’re used to seeing.”
Sanchez admitted this is the toughest stretch he has gone through in his career.
“Definitely,” Sanchez said. “It’s probably the longest ever, no doubt about that. … If I stay healthy, I’ll be all right. I have full confidence in myself.”
Boone is also convinced Sanchez’s approach at the plate is OK.
“He wants in there because one thing he never loses is confidence,’’ Boone said. “He’s such a gifted hitter. He wants to get in there and get it going. I’m less [concerned] about that because I don’t worry about his mindset.”
Despite his ugly first half, Sanchez is leading the AL in All-Star voting among catchers. He hardly has played worthy of the honor.
Austin Romine’s continued production has offset some of Sanchez’s slump. Romine added a single and sacrifice fly Tuesday.
Boone remains convinced Sanchez will come around.
“It’s gonna happen,’’ the manager said. “He’s too talented for it not to. I think [hitting coach] Marcus [Thames] has identified some mechanical things he’s not doing as well as he does when he’s locked in.”