Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez tests positive for COVID-19

Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez tested positive for COVID-19, manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News). He woke up this morning not feeling well, and a rapid test came back positive. Rob Brantly is being reselected to the roster as his replacement.

Sanchez is yet another notable Yankees player to land on the COVID IL. Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery hit the injured list earlier this week, and a few players (including star outfielder Aaron Judge) tested positive immediately after the All-Star break. One of those players — reliever Wandy Peralta — just made his return from the IL Thursday afternoon. Assuming follow-up testing confirms the positive result, Sanchez will miss at least 10 days recuperating, leaving New York to rely upon Kyle Higashioka and Brantly behind the plate.

Brantly was selected as a COVID replacement, so he can be returned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at a later date without being subjected to waivers. He’s already been up as a COVID replacement once this season, appearing in four games.