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. Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated that these roster moves were made to provide the starting rotation with an additional day of rest.

Wells was placed on the injured list on June 6 due to cervical headaches. He missed 12 games. Before his injury, Wells had a slash average of .166/.278/.255 with four home runs and seven RBI in 169 plate appearances. He was hitless in his last 13 at-bats and 1 for his last 18 before being placed on the injured list. Wells took a backswing off the mask from Toronto's Jesús Sánchez on May 19. He played in three minor league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, going 2 for 12. Wells is 26 years old and debuted with the Yankees on September 1, 2023.

Wells is in the starting lineup batting eighth against Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns. He will wear a new catcher's helmet similar to a hockey-style 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." Boone said, "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 having a presence at the bottom of the lineup." He added, "So we need to get him there and hopefully this is something that will help him kind of get settled."

J.C. Escarra, who had been the Yankees' primary catcher during Wells' absence, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to create a roster spot for Wells. Escarra compiled a triple slash line of .188/.239/.271 with five doubles and seven RBI in 32 games. Ali Sánchez is the Yankees' other catcher and batted .313/.353/.375 in eight games, starting five of them.

Elmer Rodríguez, who is 22 years old, is scheduled to start on Sunday. He started three games for the Yankees earlier this season, compiling a 4.15 ERA with six strikeouts and nine walks in 13 innings, and allowed 15 hits. In 10 Triple-A starts, Rodríguez recorded a 3.00 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 51 innings.

Gerrit Cole's next start is scheduled for Monday versus the Detroit Tigers. Cole said he feels physically good and will start Monday in Detroit. He is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in five starts since returning from elbow ligament reconstruction surgery on May 22 against Tampa Bay. Cole missed 569 days before returning from surgery. He threw a season-high 90 pitches on Tuesday when he allowed two runs and three hits in six innings during a 12-2 win over the White Sox. Boone also said Sanchez is close to going on the paternity list.