Yankees Adjusting Catcher Lineup Amid Struggles

After a match on Saturday night, the Yankees faced a notable shift on Monday. This was the second time in three games that starting catcher Austin Wells found himself sitting on the bench.

It’s not usual for a main catcher to have such limited playtime.

“He’s clearly having some difficulties at the plate, and, honestly, I want to keep Ben Rice in the mix,” the manager explained prior to the Yankees’ 6-2 victory against the Twins, kicking off a three-game series in the Bronx. He acknowledged Goldschmidt’s presence in the lineup. “Every day, you want to put together the best team possible to win.”

Is this a sign of things to come? Will Wells’s playing time continue to shrink? Boone hesitated to make any sweeping statements, though he did assert that Wells plays a crucial role in the team’s success. He’s too valuable to overlook.

The manager still has faith in Wells. However, he saw the merit in giving him a break while still getting Rice and Goldschmidt in the game.

Given Wells’s recent slump, this decision makes sense. He’s currently on a rough stretch—hitting just 5 for 47—and hasn’t seen much power since early July, with only three extra-base hits.

His OPS has dropped to a modest .679, while his batting average sits at a concerning .208.

“He’s had solid numbers: 15 home runs and 56 RBIs,” Boone noted. “He’s had some significant hits for us. We’re working through a few things to help him find that groove again.” He believes Wells is capable and essential to the lineup—when he’s performing well, he really adds depth.

Wells feels he’s on the verge of breaking out, even if the numbers don’t fully align. He remarked that he’s not quite connecting on pitches like he used to.

“I’m struggling to make consistent contact, especially with breaking balls,” the 26-year-old catcher shared. “I’m trying to adapt my approach to treat these pitches as fastballs. I think I understand what I’m facing—I just need to ensure I’m in the right position to hit them.”

Wells acknowledged the frustration of putting in the work without seeing the outcomes he desires. “I’ve been honing things for weeks, and I know the adjustments will pay off eventually.”

He’s working on trusting his instincts more but hasn’t yet seen tangible results from this approach.

“The key for me is building confidence and feeling good about my game,” coach James Rouson remarked. “This guy knows how to hit, and I believe he can. He wants to play and he’s eager to contribute.”