Yankees catcher Wells out of lineup Friday in Tampa with food poisoning

By: Zak Gilbert, The Associated Press Posted: 6:21 PM CDT Friday, Apr. 18, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Catcher Austin Wells is out of the Yankees' lineup at Tampa Bay on Friday night due to food poisoning.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Catcher Austin Wells is out of the Yankees' lineup at Tampa Bay on Friday night due to food poisoning.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/04/2025 (183 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Catcher Austin Wells is out of the Yankees’ lineup at Tampa Bay on Friday night due to food poisoning.

Wells, who finished third in the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year voting, was New York’s opening day catcher. He’s hitting .182 with three homers and eight RBIs in 17 games. One of two Yankees catchers at Steinbrenner Field for Friday’s game, he’s expected to be available in an emergency situation.

Wells said he went to sleep at the team’s Tampa hotel feeling fine but woke up with symptoms Friday morning.

New York Yankees' Austin Wells scores after Oswaldo Cabrera reaches on a throwing error by Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

In place of Wells, manager Aaron Boone will start rookie J.C. Escarra for a second straight night. With Wells given a day off Thursday, Escarra went 1 for 4 in the Yankees’ 6-3 win over the Rays. The rookie is batting .188 with no homers and one RBI in five games this season.

New York is starting left-hander Carlos Rodón on Friday against Tampa Bay righty Drew Rasmussen.

Cody Bellinger was also out of the Yankees’ lineup on April 8 in a 5-0 loss at Detroit due to food poisoning. Afterward, Boone said Bellinger was feeling better during the game and was available to pinch hit but he didn’t play.

If Wells is feeling better Friday, he could be valuable. He’s one of just two left-handed hitters on Boone’s bench, along with Trent Grisham.