CHICAGO — As he rounded the bases Monday night at Rate Field, Ali Sánchez transported back to his hometown of Carora, Venezuela.
The Yankees catcher had envisioned this moment “a lot” in his mind, but finally it had arrived in reality, in his fifth season and 75th game in the major leagues: his first home run.
“Literally a kid running the bases from Venezuela and living the dream,” Sánchez said of what was going through his mind after hitting a three-run shot in the Yankees’ 9-5 win over the White Sox.
“You always dream to play in the big leagues and having your first homer with a Yankees uniform and getting the ‘W’ is special.”
The 29-year-old journeyman, who debuted in 2020 with the Mets, picked a good time for his long ball. There were two outs in the eighth inning, with the Yankees trying to build on a 6-4 lead, when Sánchez worked a full count and then turned on an inside fastball from lefty Sean Newcomb and lifted it just over the left field wall.
“He’s contributed and works his tail off behind the plate, being able to learn the staff,” Max Fried said. “I was really happy for him. It’s a long time coming, but really glad he was able to celebrate that. He deserves it.”
The Yankees were able to retrieve the ball for Sánchez, who took a picture with the fans who caught it and signed a few balls for them. The ball was already encased and sitting in his locker, though he said it would go to his parents’ house back in Venezuela.
In a limited sample size, Sánchez has given the Yankees a lift against lefties, batting .333 with an .876 OPS in 28 plate appearances against them. He and Austin Wells have formed a solid platoon in recent weeks, with both making their impact felt.
“Really cool,” manager Aaron Boone said. “Everyone’s journey is different and there’s so many tremendous stories to tell about different guys and Ali’s one of those.”
There remains no real clarity on a timeline for Giancarlo Stanton, coming back from a second right calf strain since he last played a game April 24, aside from Boone saying he was continuing his “running progression” — which has not yet advanced to running the bases, which is where he got hurt while on the verge of returning in June.
“The strength stuff, explosive stuff he’s doing in the weight room has been very good,” Boone said Monday. “We just got to get him up to a level, obviously, on the running side of things to be able to go out there.”
Asked if Stanton needed to undergo another MRI to clear him for running the bases, Boone indicated there were no plans for that “right now.”
Trent Grisham got a day off Monday — before entering as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning — in the midst of a 2-for-36 slump which Boone mostly chalked up to not being rewarded for hitting the ball hard.
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“Going through it a little bit right now,” Boone said.
Carlos Rodón (left elbow inflammation) is set to face hitters for the first time Wednesday, across two simulated innings at Double-A Somerset, while Clarke Schmidt (Tommy John surgery) is expected to throw a third live session Friday.
The Cubs designated Jameson Taillon for assignment Monday, meaning the Yankees won’t face their former teammate this weekend at Wrigley Field.
