Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced on Monday afternoon that catcher Gary Sanchez is expected to miss the next four weeks with a Grade 1 strain of a muscle behind his right biceps, according to multiple reports. The news came after the team’s 8-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
The 24-year-old exited Saturday’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards in the fifth inning, after suffering a right arm injury while swinging through and fouling off a 3-2 pitch. He was later placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strain of his brachialis muscle.
Sanchez reached out to his followers on social media Sunday, tweeting,
Thanks you for all the well wishes. Feel much better today. // Gracias por las buenas vibras. Me siento mucho mejor hoy.
— Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) April 9, 2017
In light of Sanchez’s injury, backup catcher Austin Romine will assume starting duties behind the dish, and rookie Kyle Higashioka will serve as the temporary backup. Higashioka, who was called up from Triple-A Scranton, made his major league debut in the ninth inning on Monday, but the 26-year-old did not see an at-bat. Between Triple-A and Double-A Trenton, Higashioka hit .276 last season, with 21 home runs and 81 RBI in 102 games.
Sanchez hit his first home run of the season on Friday, which helped him put an end to an early 1-for-15 skid at the plate.
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