by Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez: “I’m not a .190 hitter.”
NEW YORK — Gary Sanchez said he knows what’s wrong and that he swears he’s not as bad as he’s looked.
“I am not a .190 hitter,” he said via the team’s translator before Friday’s 7-5 loss to the Mets at Yankee Stadium.
Sanchez played for the first time since straining his right groin running to first base in Tampa on June 24. He went 1-for-5 with a single and he struck out with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning.
Sanchez’s season has been one of the few dark spots on an otherwise excellent season for the Yankees.
He pinpointed the problem.
“You have to make the adjustments and well-executed breaking balls on the outside part of the plate have been an issue for me,” he said. “I have to make an adjustment, take those pitches and let those go, and make sure when I get a good pitch to hit, get good contact.”
Sabathia: I’ll retire after 2019
Entering Friday, he was hitting just .190. While his 14 homers were the most among catchers, his .723 OPS was the lowest among Yankees regulars.
His blocking has also been an issue despite saying he spent the offseason working to improve in the area.
The Yankees thought they would get much more lining Sanchez up behind sluggers Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
In 2017, Sanchez made his first All-Star team, hitting .278 with 33 homers and 90 RBI. As a rookie, Sanchez clobbered 20 homers in 53 games.
In spring training, CC Sabathia told reporters he thought Sanchez was the most dangerous hitter on the team.
Sanchez added that he believes he’ll have to be careful with his body the rest of the season.
“You have to take care of yourself,” he said. “I’m going to take care of myself. Especially running. That will be the focus.”
Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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