The Yankees appear to have avoided the worst with Gary Sanchez.
The catcher left Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Rays after taking a foul tip off his exposed right hand in the fourth inning, but X-rays were negative. The Yankees termed him day-to-day with a contusion to his right index and middle fingers.
“I definitely feel better right now than when it happened,” Sanchez said after the game through an interpreter. “I’ve got more movement in my fingers. … If I keep improving the way I am right now, I might be ready to play tomorrow.”
Kyle Higashioka, who replaced Sanchez in the fifth inning, will be paired with Gerrit Cole again Sunday, but manager Aaron Boone said he expected Sanchez to be back in the lineup Tuesday following Monday’s off-day.
Sanchez had initially stayed in the game for the rest of the fourth inning and flew out to center field in the bottom half, but exited after feeling more swelling following the at-bat.
