Another Yankee felled by mysterious health woes: catcher Austin Wells sidelined with suspected food poisoning.
At a Glance
- Austin Wells is out of the Yankees’ lineup due to food poisoning.
- Wells was the Yankees’ opening day catcher and finished third in the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year voting.
- Wells has a batting average of .182 with three home runs and eight RBIs in 17 games.
- Rookie J.C. Escarra will start in place of Wells for the second consecutive night.
A Sudden Health Scare for Austin Wells
The Yankees are grappling with yet another setback, having their catcher Austin Wells sit out due to suspected food poisoning. Wells, who seemed perfectly fine the previous night, woke up Friday feeling ill, rendering him unable to play. This comes amid a peculiar series of health issues plaguing the Yankees. The sudden bout of illness has raised eyebrows as Wells humorously speculated he might have been poisoned in his sleep, highlighting the unpredictable nature of this ailment.
Yankees catcher Wells out of lineup Friday in Tampa with food poisoning
Wells stepped into the 2025 season as the Yankees’ opening day catcher, building on an impressive performance that earned him third place in the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year voting. However, his current batting average of .182, with three home runs and eight RBIs in 17 games, does raise questions about the overall state of his health and ability to maintain high performance levels.
Escarra Steps Up Amid Team Health Woes
Stepping in for Wells is rookie catcher J.C. Escarra, who takes the starting position for a second consecutive night. Escarra, with a batting average of .188, no home runs, and one RBI in just five games, is another testament to the Yankees’ resilience as they navigate this health saga. New York’s Manager, Aaron Boone, appears confident despite having several other players afflicted with similar bugs recently.
“It was like 7 [a.m.], so I had a little bit more sleep than he did. I went to sleep feeling great. So no idea what happened. Someone poisoned me in my sleep.” – Austin Wells
The Yankees continue to weather setbacks, including Cody Bellinger, who recently experienced his own food poisoning episode yet managed to make a brief return as a pinch hitter. This persistent health riddle begs the question, how far does this thread of food-related illnesses spread within the MLB, and what’s next for the Yankees as they face a challenging season?
Roster Resilience Amid Adversity
Beyond catcher troubles, the Yankees prepare to face Tampa Bay’s righty Drew Rasmussen with left-hander Carlos Rodón. Amid these health challenges, the team’s ability to adapt and rely on its roster depth proves vital. As for Austin Wells, despite his food poisoning mishap, the catcher is expected to step in if an emergency arises, showcasing the determined spirit of the Yankees.
With each game serving as an opportunity for adjustments, the Yankees are steadily slotting players back into necessary positions, focusing on team health as a top priority. Only time will tell if these precautionary steps and strategic roster shifts can prevail against the tide of unexpected health incidents that have loomed over the ballpark.
