Gary Sanchez gets off to solid Mets start with Triple-A Syracuse
Gary Sanchez is off to a good start with his new New York franchise.
The former Yankee went 2-for-4 with an RBI in his first game with the Syracuse Mets on Wednesday after he signed a minor league contract to the Triple-A team in an effort to build the franchise’s catching depth.
The 30-year-old’s solid night wasn’t the only highlight for Triple-A Syracuse.
Mark Vientos, one of the Mets’ top prospects, went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in the Syracuse Mets’ 8-7 win over the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jay’s Triple-A affiliate.
“We know the background of Gary and what he’s capable of doing,” manager Buck Showalter said before the Mets’ 7-6 loss to the Reds on Tuesday. “He is getting an opportunity in Syracuse with our guys and we’ll see where it takes us.
“He’s got power and a big arm. It’s been a long time since I have seen him and we’ll see.”
In the top of the fifth with Syracuse down 5-1, Sanchez ripped a grounder along the first base side, sneaking by the infield for a base hit and advancing Mark Vientos from first base to third.
Sanchez later outhustled the throw to first after his grounder resulted in an out at second, but it knocked in a runner to increase the Mets’ lead to 7-5.
Sanchez will receive $1.5 million if he plays in the major leagues with the Mets with up to $1.2 million in potential incentives.
He spent seven seasons with the Yankees since 2015 where he earned two All-Star nods and a Silver Slugger award in 2017, and ended with a slash line of .230/.318/.487 for 138 home runs and 340 RBIs.
Last year, Sanchez spent his time with the Twins where his slash line output was .205/.282/.377 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs in 128 games.
He comes to the Mets for another opportunity after a stint with the Giants didn’t turn out as he had hoped.
As for the Mets’ major-league catching situation, Francisco Alvarez has found himself in the starting role with Tomas Nido placed on the injured list Wednesday due to vision issues caused by dry eye syndrome.
Nido’s stint on the bench is expected to be brief. The Mets also have been without Omar Narvaez, who is suffering a left calf strain and is not expected to return before June.
Outside of Sanchez, the catching depth includes Michael Perez at Syracuse and Hayden Senger at Double-A Binghamton.
