NEW YORK — The New York Yankees activated catcher Austin Wells from the 10-day injured list and recalled pitcher Elmer Rodríguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the roster changes were made to provide the starting rotation an additional day of rest.

Wells is in the starting lineup, batting eighth against Reds pitcher Chase Burns. He had been on the injured list since June 6 due to cervical headaches, causing him to miss two weeks and 12 games. Before his injury, Wells had a slash line of .166/.278/.255 with four home runs and seven RBI in 169 plate appearances. Wells recorded three minor league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, during which he went 2 for 12.

Boone said he hopes the time off provided a reset for Wells. "Hopefully it's a good reset and can get him into a good place because obviously when he's right offensively he can really be an important contributor for us, especially have a presence at the bottom of the lineup," he said. Wells stated he will use a new catcher's helmet in the style of a hockey goaltender's mask. "It felt a little sturdier," Wells said. "Whatever was going on this year, it wasn't really working. I'll try everything." Wells took a backswing off his mask from Toronto's Jesús Sánchez on May 19.

J.C. Escarra, who served as the team's primary catcher during Wells' absence, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. Escarra compiled a slash line of .188/.239/.271 with five doubles and seven RBI in 32 games. Ali Sánchez remains the Yankees' other catcher, having batted .313/.353/.375 in eight games with five starts.

Elmer Rodríguez will start on Sunday, making his fourth appearance for the Yankees this season. The 22-year-old pitcher recorded a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 51 innings over 10 Triple-A starts this season. In his previous three starts for the Yankees, Rodríguez compiled a 4.15 ERA with six strikeouts and nine walks in 13 innings, allowing 15 hits. Subsequently, Gerrit Cole's next start was moved to Monday against the Detroit Tigers. Cole said he feels good physically and will start in Detroit.