Gary Sanchez out for a month; an update on the star catcher’s return

The latest news on catcher Gary Sanchez is a little more negative for the New York Yankees, who announced Monday that he will miss four weeks with a biceps injury.

The team had put him on the 10-day disabled list Sunday.

“I was mentally prepared for anything,” Sanchez said after being evaluated Monday.

Sanchez strained his right biceps during his follow-through on a swing Saturday at Baltimore. He grimaced after fouling off a 3-2, 97 mph fastball from Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman in the fifth inning, prompting a visit from Yankees trainers. Sanchez was removed from the game and replaced by backup catcher Austin Romine, who finished the plate appearance with a walk.

Not the best news for Yankee fans to begin the year as they learned that Gary Sanchez will be out for four weeks with a bicep strain.

The Yankees originally placed him on the 10 day disabled list with hopes the injury would be minor but anyone who watched the injury occur knew that Sanchez was in a lot of pain and the injury was more serious.

Yankee fans were glamouring all spring about the type of impact Sanchez could have in his first full season and rightfully so. Sanchez hit 20 home runs wit 42 RBI in just 201 at bats and finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Sanchez had got off to a bit of a slow start with a .150 average (3-for-20), .190 OBP, with one home run and 2 RBI in the first five games of the year. However, it was only a matter of time before his bat got going and he started to heat up again. Plus he has displayed a great defensive presence flashing a rocket of an arm and always looks to be in sync with his starting pitcher.

Now Yankee fans will have to finish out the first month of the year without their prized prospect. Greg Bird and Aaron Judge will have to carry the “baby bombers” movement while Sanchez recovers from his injury.

The Yankees dreamed of a much better start to the season and Sanchez’s injury is a setback to the clubs aspirations. Player’s will have to step up in his absence.

Catcher Kyle Higashioka was called up to fill Sanchez’s roster spot. Austin Romine will be the teams starting catcher.