As the Yankees head into the final stretch of the season, manager Aaron Boone expects catcher Austin Wells to take on the bulk of the starts behind the plate. This decision comes even with the return of former All-Star catcher Jose Trevino from a lengthy injury absence last week.
Boone expressed his confidence in starting the lefty-swinging Wells against left-handed pitching, stating that he feels “totally comfortable” with him in those situations. While there may be a loose platoon between the two catchers, Wells is likely to see more playing time overall.
Wells has shown his prowess against right-handed pitching this season, with a .797 OPS and all nine of his home runs coming in those matchups. However, he has struggled against lefties, posting just a .565 OPS in 47 plate appearances.
On the other hand, Trevino, who was a first-time All-Star in 2022, has performed decently against left-handed pitching, with four home runs and a .687 OPS in 82 plate appearances.
The matchup against the Guardians on Tuesday night saw Trevino in the starting lineup against left-handed pitcher Matthew Boyd. Trevino walked three times and scored a run in the game. Wells, on the other hand, entered as a pinch hitter later in the game and went 1-for-2.
Boone acknowledged that Trevino brings value against left-handed pitchers, but he sees Wells playing more overall due to the higher number of right-handed pitchers they will face. However, the decision will ultimately depend on the specific matchups and circumstances of each game.
While Wells has shown improvement and is establishing himself against left-handed pitching, the Yankees recognize Trevino’s abilities and what he brings to the table in those situations. It’s possible that Trevino will see more playing time against lefties, while Wells takes on the majority of starts against right-handed pitchers.
Overall, Boone’s plan is to have both catchers contribute and play their roles depending on the opposing pitcher. This arrangement allows for flexibility and ensures that both players get opportunities to make an impact on the field.
