Yankees manager Aaron Boone gave a straightforward update Saturday on catcher Austin Wells, and it sounds like good news for New York. Wells has been out since June 6 with cervical headaches and severe neck stiffness. But Boone told reporters before Saturday’s game against the Reds that Wells is likely to return Sunday.
That’s a big deal for a team that’s been leaning hard on its backup catchers during a brutal stretch of the schedule. Wells landing on the 10-day IL came at a rough time. The 26-year-old is considered the team’s best defensive option behind the plate, and he’s been a steady hand for a pitching staff that’s had to grind through a lot of innings.
The exact cause of the neck issue is still a little fuzzy. The Yankees haven’t pinned it down to one thing. There’s been some speculation that it might trace back to a May 19 game against Toronto, where Blue Jays hitter Jesus Sanchez caught Wells on the head or mask with a backswing. But the team has been careful not to point fingers. They just treated the symptoms and let the timeline play out.
What Boone Actually Said
MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch posted Boone’s quote on X, which is still Twitter to most of us. The manager didn’t guarantee anything. He said Wells will likely return to the lineup Sunday. That’s manager-speak for “we’re pretty sure, but we’re not signing anything in blood.” If Wells clears the usual pregame steps and feels good, he’ll be back in the lineup for the series finale against Cincinnati.
That timing works well. The Yankees have been rotating backups behind the plate, and that’s not ideal for anyone. Wells gives Boone a left-handed bat in a lineup that could use more balance. He’s not going to carry the offense, but he doesn’t need to. The team just needs him to handle the staff and not be a liability at the plate.
Wells himself probably just wants to get back out there, shake off the rust, and avoid any kind of setback. Recovering from neck stuff is tricky. One bad swing or a sudden twist and you’re right back on the IL. The Yankees know that.
For now, Boone’s update is about as positive as you can get. Wells is close. That’s all anyone in the clubhouse really needed to hear.
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