#Behind Yankees’ call to have Gary Sanchez catch Deivi Garcia

Erik Kratz caught Deivi Garcia in his first two big-league starts when the rookie right-hander pitched well in the first one and tailed off in the second.

But instead of pairing the 40-year-old Kratz with the 21-year-old Garcia on Wednesday night against the Blue Jays at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, Aaron Boone inserted the ice-cold Gary Sanchez to work with Garcia, and Sanchez helped the neophyte right-hander get through seven innings in a 7-2 victory.

“We want Gary in there, that is the bottom line,’’ Boone said of Sanchez, who was benched Sunday and Monday due to a dead bat and returned Tuesday night, when he went 0-for-4 in a 2-1 loss. “Obviously sat him for a couple of days and didn’t get results [Tuesday night] but thought he had good at-bats.’’

Despite Sanchez entering hitting .125 and having struck out 49 times in 104 at-bats, Boone said he still believes Sanchez can play a big part down the stretch.

“We need to get Gary in a place where he can get rolling offensively. We know he has ability to impact us and even carry us at times when he gets really hot,’’ Boone said of Sanchez, who went 0-for-3, lowering his average to .121, with a walk.

Nevertheless, he did throw out Randal Grichuk attempting to advance to second in the eighth inning on a pitch in the dirt with the Yankees leading, 5-2.

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Boone said he believes the Yankees could have James Paxton back from the IL before the end of the regular season. Paxton threw Wednesday.

“We are mapping out now what is the best possibility, how many innings can we get out of him by the end of the year and the playoffs,’’ Boone said of the lefty starter who has not pitched since Aug. 20 due to a flexor strain in the left forearm.

Mapping out the best plan to contribute on some level,” the manager said. “Get through today and see if getting on the mound becomes a reality. I think there is a chance he could be back for the regular season on some level.’’

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The Yankees went 3-for-8 with runners in scoring position after having one hit in their previous 30 at-bats in the clutch.

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Miguel Andujar’s 2020 transaction sheet reads like a yo-yo. He has been optioned to the alternate site three times and recalled the same amount.

During that time period of moving between the alternate site in Scranton and the big leagues, where he wasn’t getting regular playing time because Gio Urshela had a firm grip on third base, Andujar hit .129 (4-for-31) in 12 games from July 26 to Aug. 28. The next day he was sent to Scranton.

Since being recalled on Sept. 4, when Urshela went on the IL with a bone spur in the right elbow, Andujar has thrived at the plate. Before going hitless in five at-bats Wednesday, Andujar was 8-for-19 (.421) with a homer and three RBIs in his previous six games.

However, while regular playing time had turned his year around, until Wednesday the Yankees were 0-5 in the five games the 25-year-old right-handed hitter had started.

“The result that we want hasn’t been there as a group. I don’t play for myself, I play for my team,’’ Andujar said.

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According to Boone, Giancarlo Stanton ran the bases Wednesday for a third day in a row and Aaron Judge is doing more change of direction running.

“They are definitely doing well and getting closer,’’ Boone said of his stud right-handed hitters who are on the IL.

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Boone didn’t sound like a manager hesitant to use a prized starting pitcher prospect out of the pen if he can help.

“Certainly on a given day I feel he is absolutely capable,’’ Boone said of Clarke Schmidt, who has made two big relief outings after being a starter in the minor leagues. “If he comes in throwing the ball the way he is capable of, he is capable of getting big time outs against big time hitters.’’

Still, the Yankees view Schmidt as a future part of the rotation who has very limited experience out of the bullpen.

“The tricky part with him, obviously being a full-time starter, we are making sure we are mindful of that and careful how we use him, what days we can use him but he can work into that significant role and he can give us some length,’’ Boone said.