The Yankees’ COVID-19 issues are not over, as Aaron Boone announced on Thursday that Gary Sanchez is the latest player to test positive for the virus.
Sanchez, who was out of the starting lineup for the second day in a row on Thursday, wasn’t feeling well after last night’s game, per Boone, and that didn’t change this morning, leading to him getting tested.
“I guess a little bit of concern because it’s happened to us before, and happened to us in a flurry to where we’re not as shocked anymore when it happens,” Boone told Carton and Roberts on Thursday. “It’s been a few days since Cole and Monty.
"Gary wasn’t feeling well yesterday and woke up and wasn’t feeling well, so he got a rapid test that was positive and he’ll get a PCR tonight. It’s a blow, but one we have to absorb and fight through.”
Sanchez came off the bench on Wednesday and got a hit in his lone at-bat and scored a run. Kyle Higashioka, who recently came off the COVID-19 list himself, is starting behind the plate for Thursday’s series opener against the Mariners.
Catcher Rob Brantly was called up to replace Sanchez on the active roster.
Sanchez joins a long list of players who have spent time on the COVID IL this season, despite many being previously vaccinated. Gleyber Torres, Nestor Cortes Jr., Wandy Peralta, Gio Urshela, Aaron Judge and Jonathan Loaisiga all were among the group, while Sanchez joins Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery as Yankees currently on the COVID IL.
“One of the things we talk about a lot is adversity coming for you in an MLB season,” Boone said. “You add in the pandemic and all that’s meant for 2020 and 2021, it’s come for everyone and you have to be able to navigate it if you’re going to be a great team. We feel like we’re equipped to handle it, we feel like we can and the expectation is the next guy can step up.”
Boone said there was no update on when Cole and Montgomery could return, but that Cole was still experiencing symptoms.
"We’ll see where they are physically," Boone said. "Gerrit’s not feeling great, Monty is basically asymptomatic. We’ll see where they are as the days unfold. Gerrit was slated to pitch the day he went on the IL while Monty pitched the day before, so he may miss one less start. But we’ll make an evaluation on them."
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