Inside The Pinstripes

How Serious Is Gary Sánchez's Back Injury?

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is out of the starting lineup with a back injury. Sanchez was taken out early against the Boston Red Sox with back spasms

Max Goodman

After exiting Friday night's loss to the Red Sox with back spasms, Gary Sánchez is out of the lineup on Saturday afternoon. 

With backup catcher Kyle Higashioka still on the COVID-19 injured list, Rob Brantly got the start in Sánchez's place behind the plate. Brantly came in for Sánchez in the sixth inning on Friday night at Fenway Park as well. 

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Friday night—after the 6-2 loss to the Red Sox—that Sánchez could potentially be available on Saturday. Considering the catcher didn't get a good night's sleep, still feeling "locked up" in his back the following morning, the skipper made the call to give him a day to rest and recuperate. 

"Doing a little bit better today," Boone said Saturday afternoon. "He's been getting a lot of treatment today, going to move around now in the weight room as well. Hopefully we'll get him to where he's back in play for us tomorrow."

With those improvements and all the treatment he's been getting, Sánchez would be available on Saturday in an emergency situation, Boone said. 

Sánchez has been hot and cold since the All-Star break, hitting .235 (4-for-17) with two home runs in six games. He now has 17 big flies on the year, batting .219 (54-for-247) with an .800 OPS over 75 games played. 

Avoiding a serious injury here is a huge break for the Bombers considering how many other position players they've been missing due to the club's recent COVID-19 outbreak and a slew of more traditional injuries.

As for Higashioka, Boone expects the catcher (as well as All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge) to rejoin the team on Sunday, traveling with the team to Tampa. Depending on how their workout on Monday goes, taking advantage of an off day to get some work in, Higashioka and Judge should be available at some point during the three-game set against the Rays. 

When Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela Are Scheduled to Return From COVID-19 Injured List

Brantly was called up from Triple-A when Higashioka went down with a positive COVID test. The veteran is hitting .091 (1-for-11) entering play on Saturday. That one hit—a double at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday—was his first in the big leagues since 2017. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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