Yankees lose another player to injury in loss to Tigers

Report: Julius Randle traded to Nets in 3-team deal

DETROIT — Just when the Yankees finally are getting a few hits from a catcher … bam, fastball off the right wrist.

No. 2 catcher Ali Sanchez was forced out of Monday night’s series opener at Comerica Park after being drilled in the seventh inning on a 97.9 mph fastball from Tigers reliever Drew Anderson.

Sanchez was replaced by starting catcher Austin Wells, who just returned from the injured list on Sunday.

Sanchez was called up from Triple-A to replace Wells on June 6 and is hitting .316 in 10 games, six starts.

After the Yankees’ 5-3 loss, manager Aaron Boone said negatives taken on Sanchez’ wrist were negative. He was headed to a hospital after the game for a CT scan.

There was no immediate word on Sanchez’s status before the final out of a 5-3 Yankees loss.

The Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a two-out RBI double by Sanchez, a career .201 hitter with no homers and seven RBI in 60 games with six clubs since 2020.

J.C. Escarra, the backup catcher for most of the season, was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday but still is with the Yankees as a taxi squad player. Sanchez has been planning to go on paternity leave this week with his wife expected to give birth, but now could end up on the injured list.

The Yankees already have five players on the IL, including three starting position players: right fielder Aaron Judge, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton and center fielder Trent Grisham. Ace left-hander Max Fried also is sidelined.

For the season, Yankees catchers have contributed very little offense. Their combined .182 batting average ranked fourth lowest in the majors, their four homers are tied for third fewest and their 16 RBI are last among 30 teams.

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