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Austin Wells out of lineup as food poisoning hits another Yankee

By
Greg Joyce
Published April 18, 2025
Updated April 19, 2025, 12:50 a.m. ET

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TAMPA — Food poisoning has struck another Yankee. 

Austin Wells was out of the lineup Friday for the Yankees’ 1-0 win over the Rays after waking up with a case of what he believed to be food poisoning — which is what took out Cody Bellinger for a game last week in Detroit. 

Unlike Bellinger, Wells said he did not consume any bad wings, nor was it a burrito from his Instagram account that ranks them in visiting clubhouses. 

“[On Thursday], I felt great,” Wells said. “This morning, not so great. I went to sleep feeling great, so no idea what happened. 

Austin Wells swings during the Yankees' game against the Brewers on March 30.
Austin Wells swings during the Yankees’ game against the Brewers on March 30. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post

“Someone poisoned me in my sleep,” he deadpanned. 

Aaron Boone said after the game that Wells was available more in an emergency situation, but J.C. Escarra handled all nine innings behind the plate for a second straight day 

“He’s doing OK,” Boone said of Wells, who warmed up Luke Weaver in the bottom of the ninth as Escarra put his gear on. 

Wells was still not entirely sure what food did the damage to his insides, but he had not been able to eat anything leading up to Friday’s game. 

“I feel like we’ve had a handful of guys, from spring to now, have these 24-hour bugs or whatever,” Boone said. “They’ve passed it on a little bit. So I don’t know what’s going on.” 

Paul Goldschmidt recorded his 10th multi-hit game of the season Friday, going 3-for-4 with three singles and a run scored.

The veteran first baseman finished Friday batting .373 (28-for-75), with 22 of his hits being singles, along with an .895 OPS. 

Paul Goldschmidt #48 of the New York Yankees reacts in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.
Paul Goldschmidt of the New York Yankees reacts in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images

“I think he’s just very situationally aware,” Boone said. “Some of the things that have stood out to me is in certain situations, especially depending on the matchup — who’s on the mound, how challenging they are — he does a really good job of that. Man on second, get this runner in, he shortens up and uses the whole field a little bit more.

“Sac fly situation, felt like he takes a certain approach. He’s got a really good situational awareness gauge about him that I’ve noticed.” 

Ben Rice nearly clubbed his sixth home run of the year in the eighth inning, which would have been a two-run shot for some more breathing room, but Jose Caballero made a spectacular leaping grab at the right-field wall to rob him. 

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Caballero (77) makes a catch against New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Caballero (77) makes a catch against New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Marcus Stroman (knee inflammation) has started playing catch after receiving a cortisone shot last weekend, but it remains to be seen when he will get back on a mound to throw a bullpen session — a better indicator of how long he might be out. … DJ LeMahieu (calf strain) is expected to start a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Somerset.