Austin Wells was unavailable again Sunday, and now there's a reason why.
The New York Yankees rookie catcher is dealing with a circulation issue in his left hand, specifically affecting one of his fingers. The club has run Wells through a series of medical tests over the past two days to rule out any serious vascular concerns, including the type of aneurysm that sidelined former Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt last season.
The early indication is that Wells has avoided anything that serious.
Still, Wells is likely to remain out through at least Tuesday as the Yankees continue to monitor the situation. He did not appear in Sunday's series finale. Ben Rice caught on Sunday and J.C. Escarra will handle the catching duties in his absence the next two days.
Wells, 24, has been a steady presence behind the plate when called upon. Known more for his left-handed power bat, Wells has also drawn praise for the progress he's made defensively, especially in managing the Yankees' evolving pitching staff.
Wells has appeared in 69 games for the Yankees in 2025, piling up 229 plate appearances. He's hitting .214 (49-for-229) with 11 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 26 runs scored. His on-base plus slugging sits at .699, with a .275 on-base percentage and .424 slugging percentage. While his average has dipped below league norms, he remains tied for 69th in homers and 40th in RBIs among qualifiers . On the basepaths, he's swiped 3 bags, showcasing speed unusual for a catcher.
The Yankees are expected to provide another update on Wells by midweek, but for now, it appears the club is acting out of caution-and hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's health scare with Rortvedt.
If the issue lingers or flares back up, the Yankees may need to explore a roster move.
Related: Aaron Judge Sends Message to Yankees Front Office Ahead of Trade Deadline
Related: Yankees Make Strategic Bullpen Move After Cruz Injury
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 5:27 PM