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Yankees activate C Austin Wells from IL, recall P Elmer Rodríguez to give starting pitchers extra day of rest

The New York Yankees have activated catcher Austin Wells from the injured list before Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Reds.

Wells, 26, is in the starting lineup and batting eighth against Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns.

Additionally, the Yankees recalled pitcher Elmer Rodríguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start on Sunday. That bumps Gerrit Cole’s next start to Monday versus the Detroit Tigers. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the move was made to give the starting rotation an extra day of rest.

Rodríguez, 22, started three games for the Yankees earlier this season, compiling a 4.15 ERA with 6 strikeouts and 9 walks in 13 innings. He also allowed 15 hits. In 10 Triple-A starts, Rodríguez recorded a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 51 innings.

Wells has been on the IL since June 6 with cervical headaches. Wells told reporters before he began his minor-league rehab assignment that he'll wear a new catcher's helmet more like a hockey-style goaltender's mask.

"It felt a little sturdier," Wells said, via MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. "Whatever was going on this year, it wasn't really working. I'll try everything."

The headaches are believed to be at least partially responsible for Wells’ poor start to the 2026 season. Before going on the IL, he had a slash average of .166/.278/.255 with 4 home runs and 7 RBI in 169 appearances. Last season, Wells batted .219/.275/.436 with 21 homers, 22 doubles and 71 RBI.

Cervical headaches — or cervicogenic headaches — result from head pain caused by a cervical spine injury such as a slipped disk or arthritis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

In Wells’ absence, J.C. Escarra was the Yankees’ primary catcher. In 32 games, he compiled a triple-slash line of .188/.239/.271 with five doubles and 7 RBI. He was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday to clear a spot for Wells on the Yankees’ roster.

Ali Sánchez will remain the Yankees’ other catcher, providing a right-handed bat with Wells. He’s batted .313/.353/.375 in eight games, starting five of them.

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