Former Yankee Gary Sanchez officially making return to New York

Former New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is officially making his return to New York, as he was called up from the minor leagues by the Mets.

Gary Sanchez began his career in New York with the Yankees. But after a career of promise was brought down by a lack of production at the plate and subpar defense behind home plate, the Yankees traded Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins as part of the trade that sent Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to New York. After one year, the Twins allowed Sanchez to hit free agency. Then, he had a brief stay with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league contract but opted out after he wasn’t called up to the majors.

But, the Mets gave Sanchez a life preserver, signing him to a minor league deal. Considering they signed him, one had to imagine that it would only be a matter of time until he received a call to the majors. Sure enough, that day has arrived.

According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Mets are calling up Sanchez from Triple-A Syracuse, and will be activated on Friday, May  19 for their game against the Cleveland Guardians.

Mets calling up Gary Sanchez, and will activate him on May 19

The Mets adding Sanchez was not necessarily surprising, considering the Yankees connection in Queens. Mets general manager Billy Eppler was part of the Yankees organization from 2004 until 2015, and Sanchez signed with the Yankees in 2009 as an international free agent. After Sanchez opted out of his deal with the Giants, Eppler gave Sanchez a call and signed him to a minor league contract. And now, he will be called up the day before his opt-out deadline.

Sanchez played in eight games for Triple-A Syracuse, where he recorded a .308 batting average, a .514 on-base percentage, a .500 slugging percentage, one home run, three runs scored, five RBI, and eight hits in 26 at-bats. As a catcher, Sanchez posted a .977 fielding percentage after recording 121 putouts, eight assists, and three errors in 132 total chances.

With Omar Narvaez on the 60-day injured list due to a calf strain and Tomas Nido on the 10-day injured list due to dry eye syndrome, Sanchez will now head up to Queens to provide some depth at the catcher position behind Francisco Alvarez.

Gary Sanchez is back in New York. But instead of wearing the navy blue and white uniforms of the Yankees, he will be wearing the blue and orange of the Mets.