NEW YORK — Former All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez is again within the main leagues, this time with the Mets.
Sánchez, who spent the primary seven seasons of his profession with the Yankees, joined the Mets on Friday when his contract was chosen from Triple-A Syracuse.
“It feels good to be again right here in New York in spite of everything these years I used to be with the Yankees,” Sánchez stated by means of an interpreter.
Sánchez, 30, hit .308 with one residence run, 5 RBIs, 9 walks and 10 strikeouts in eight video games at Syracuse. His deal requires a $1.5 million wage whereas within the main leagues.
“Good teammate, actually received after it there,” Mets supervisor Buck Showalter stated.
Unsigned throughout the offseason, Sánchez agreed to a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on April 1, a deal that referred to as for a $4 million wage if he was added to the 40-man roster. Sánchez hit .164 (9-for-55) with zero residence runs, eight RBIs, one double, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 55 at-bats at Triple-A Sacramento. He had a Might 1 opt-out provision, was launched the next day and signed a minor league contract with the Mets on Might 9.
“We’re very respectful of what the Yankees and Minnesota and San Francisco have tried to do,” Showalter stated. “In addition they did not have room for him. So we’ll see. We made room, and we’re going to check out it.”
Sánchez joins what might develop into a crowded depth chart. Omar Narváez, signed as a free agent by the Mets to a two-year, $15 million contract, hasn’t performed since April 5 due to a strained left calf.
Tomás Nido and rookie Francisco Álvarez have mixed to hit .165 with 4 residence runs and 10 RBIs. Nido batted .118 (6-for-51) with one RBI however hasn’t performed since Might 5 due to dry-eye syndrome. Álvarez, who was in Friday’s lineup towards the Cleveland Guardians, is hitting .218 (17-for-78) with 4 residence runs and 9 RBIs.
Nido began a minor league damage rehabilitation task Friday at Class A St. Lucie. Michael Pérez, who went 4-for-7 in a pair of video games, was optioned to Syracuse to make room for Sánchez.
“I hope we’re right here shortly with 4 wholesome catchers — 5, counting Michael,” Showalter stated. “I would not [say it’s] a tryout or audition. He is received an opportunity to play within the huge leagues when it regarded prefer it may not occur for him once more. I believe he understands that that chance [is] one he must reap the benefits of. I believe that is one thing that is constructive that now we have going for us with this. The problem for me now’s to get him some alternatives to try this.”
Sánchez made the All-Star Sport in 2017 and 2019 throughout a seven-year stint with the Yankees. He hit .299 with 20 homers in 2016 and .278 with 33 homers and 90 RBIs in 2017.
He batted .186 in 2018 and .147 in 49 video games within the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He improved in 2021 to .204 with 23 homers and 54 RBIs.
New York traded Sánchez to Minnesota in March 2022 with Gio Urshela for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt. Sánchez hit .205 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 128 video games for the Twins final 12 months whereas making 80 begins at catcher.
“So long as you are wholesome and so long as you could have the chance to play baseball, you are able to do loads of good issues,” Sánchez stated.
The Mets opened a spot on their 40-man roster by returning outfielder Tim Locastro from his rehab task and transferring him to the 60-day injured record due to a sprained proper thumb.