Austin Wells’ Injury Update

Austin Wells is uncertain about when exactly the issues began or if something specific triggered them.

By late Friday night, the Yankees catcher felt compelled to inform the training staff about the pressure and headaches at the top of his head—symptoms he had been experiencing for “a little while.” This confession resulted in him being placed on the 10-day injured list the following Saturday.

“I think I need a few days, let my brain catch up a little bit and then get back to work,” Wells mentioned after the Yankees’ 6-1 win against the Red Sox on Sunday.

On Monday, he tested negative for a concussion, but an MRI is scheduled to rule out any more serious concerns, particularly regarding his neck.

“In my opinion, whatever it is, it’s just the buildup of the last few weeks and months,” he reflected. “When you’re in that situation every day, you don’t really notice it, but stepping back today, I feel better already.”

Wells has struggled offensively for much of the season and emphasized that enduring physical strain is just part of being behind the plate.

Interestingly, he opted to wear a hockey mask during Friday’s game, taking advice from another catcher he had spoken to, who recommended it for its sturdiness. Wells plans to keep using the mask even after his return.

“Whatever happened this year didn’t really work, so I’ll try everything,” he said.

On a different note, Ali Sanchez made his debut at bat for the Yankees on Sunday, going 0-for-2 before being replaced by Spencer Jones in the seventh inning.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that J.C. Escala is likely to start two out of the next three games against the Guardians, but he’s assessing the situation on a daily basis.

Boone also mentioned that it’s “possible” Dominguez, who has an AC joint sprain, could return for the next game after completing his second rehab outing on Sunday. However, he needs a few more games to recover.

Dominguez played left field for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, but the Yankees have a pressing need for a right fielder, especially with Aaron Judge sidelined for over two months due to a stress fracture in his right first rib.

Once Dominguez is back, there’s a possibility of moving Cody Bellinger to right field. Bellinger has been stellar in left field this season, which complicates the decision, as Dominguez has only played one game in right field throughout his career.

“We’ll see how it plays out,” Boone noted. “It’s challenging because we’ve invested a lot in Jason and committed him to left field. But it’s something we’re discussing.”

Boone did not confirm if Dominguez would play right field during his rehabilitation process.

Max Fried is scheduled for another diagnostic imaging test later this week to evaluate if he can return to throwing from the mound. Meanwhile, he’s currently playing catch on flat ground and aims to reach 120 feet this week while recovering from a bone bruise in his left elbow.

“He handled everything pretty well,” Boone observed.

In another note, Anthony Siegler, the Yankees’ first-round draft pick in 2018, started at second base for the Red Sox, while Mickey Gaspar, a 27th round pick, was the starting catcher.

Wells, who was chosen in the 35th round and did not finish high school, remains the only Yankees player from that draft who still stays with the organization. Two years later, they selected him again in the first round.