Gary Sanchez is 12th Yankee to hit IL already this season

With 11 players already on the shelf, starting catcher Gary Sanchez became the 12th when the New York Yankees placed him on the Injured List Friday. Sanchez will take time off to nurse a left calf strain.

New York has called up catcher Kyle Higashioka from Triple-A to take Sanchez’s spot on the roster. Higashioka will back up Austin Romine who now slides into the starting catcher role.

It’s been hit after hit for the Yankees so far this season. The injured list looks like it could be an All-Star team. Didi Gregorius, CC Sabathia, Dellin Betances, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar and now Gary Sanchez. Those are five expected starting position players, two starting pitchers, and one of the teams’ best relief pitchers. And that’s not even the full list.

Sanchez is hitting .268 with six homers and 11 RBI in 11 games.

Higashioka is more of a defensive catcher who is much weaker with the bat. He hit .133 with three homers over 38 career major league games.