Yankees Activate Austin Wells, Recall Elmer Rodríguez for 1 Spot Start

Q: With top target Ryan Jeffers injured, who is the sleeper catcher that could solve the Yankees' biggest offensive problem?

Christian Vázquez looks like the best sleeper option if Ryan Jeffers remains unavailable. The Yankees’ problem is clear: their catchers rank near the bottom of the league offensively, and they specifically need a right-handed bat to complement Austin Wells, who has struggled badly against left-handed pitching and overall this season. Jeffers is the obvious fit, but his fractured hamate bone clouds the timing and likely the trade cost. Vázquez fits the Yankees’ needs more cleanly than most secondary options. He is a right-handed hitter, has been more productive than the Yankees’ current catching group, and brings a much lower strikeout rate than Wells or J.C. Escarra. The reported line tied to him — .247/.311/.412 with a 15.7% strikeout rate — would represent a meaningful offensive upgrade for a position where New York has gotten almost nothing. He also would not force the Yankees to sacrifice defense for offense. Vázquez still grades as a solid receiver and framer, which matters for a club whose pitching staff has been one of its biggest strengths. That makes him a more realistic all-around solution than a bat-first gamble. Other names such as Connor Wong, Kyle Higashioka, or Victor Caratini may surface, but Vázquez stands out as the under-the-radar target because he addresses both roster fit and acquisition cost. If Jeffers is sidelined or too expensive, Vázquez is the sleeper who could most plausibly stabilize the Yankees’ weakest offensive spot.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 22

Austin Wells returned from the injured list Sunday and immediately rejoined the Yankees' lineup, batting eighth against Cincinnati after missing time with cervical headaches.
Elmer Rodríguez was recalled from Triple-A to start the game, pushing Gerrit Cole's next outing to Monday as Aaron Boone used the move to give the rotation an extra day of rest.
Rodríguez, 22, had a 4.15 ERA in three earlier Yankees starts but a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 51 innings over 10 Triple-A starts.
Wells, 26, had slumped to .166/.278/.255 with four homers before going on the IL on June 6 and said he will use a sturdier hockey-style catcher's mask after the headaches.
J.C. Escarra was optioned to clear Wells' roster spot, while Ali Sánchez stayed as the other catcher after hitting .313 in eight games.