Of all the issues the Yankees thought they would have to deal with this season, Gary Sanchez’s arm didn’t figure to be one of them.
But 2019 has not started the way the Yankees planned, dropping two of three in the Bronx to an Orioles team that figures to be terrible at the top of the list.
And in each of the past two games — both losses — Sanchez has made a key throwing error on a stolen-base attempt at second.
Both times, it’s led to a run.
On Sunday, the error came in the top of the fifth of a 7-5 defeat.
Sanchez���s errant throw was well wide of the base and allowed Jonathan Villar to get to third with one out. Villar scored on a Dwight Smith Jr. single to make it 5-3 after the Yankees scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
“You look at the throw, it’s probably the same kind of throw [as Saturday] and it’s a play where a run scores [because of it],’’ Sanchez said through an interpreter. “It’s definitely not what you want there and like I said [Saturday], I’ve got to keep improving on those.’’
Aaron Boone insisted he’s not worried about Sanchez’s arm and said the errors were “an aberration” despite their similar nature.
“I feel like he’s catching well,’’ Boone said. “To me, it looks like he’s quick with his feet, rushing it a little bit. Maybe he’s trying to do too much with the throw instead of trusting it. That’s his calling card, obviously.”
Without good footwork, the problem figures to continue, but Boone said he doesn’t believe opposing teams will look to run with abandon with Sanchez behind the plate.
Sanchez said “adjustments have been made. It’s simple. I pulled on the ball again. I tried to make a stronger throw than I wanted and ended up bouncing it. I believe I’m gonna be able to correct that sooner rather than later.’’
The Yankees certainly hope so, but it’s not the only problem Sanchez has faced during the season’s first three games.
He also struck out in his first three at-bats before going deep with two outs in the seventh to get the Yankees to within a run.
Sanchez turned on a 3-2 pitch from left-hander John Means and sent it into the left-field seats for his first extra-base hit of the year. Still, it was his only hit of the game and he also popped out for the second out in the ninth.“Like I said [Saturday], I’m feeling better at the plate and it’s about not swinging at bad pitches and controlling the zone,’’ Sanchez said. “I’m feeling good.’’
But after offseason surgery on his left shoulder was supposed to help Sanchez regain the form he showed for much of his first two seasons in the majors, he’s looked a lot like the player who was a mess for most of 2018.
And since general manager Brian Cashman has repeatedly doubled down in his confidence in the 26-year-old, sticking with Sanchez instead of going after J.T. Realmuto, who was traded from the Marlins to the Phillies in the offseason, the Yankees are counting on Sanchez.