Gary Sanchez - 'Good to be back' in New York after Mets call-up - ESPN

NEW YORK — Former All-Star catcher Gary Sánchez is back in the major leagues, this time with the Mets.

Sánchez, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Yankees, joined the Mets on Friday when his contract was selected from Triple-A Syracuse.

«It feels good to be back here in New York after all those years I was with the Yankees,» Sánchez said through an interpreter.

Sánchez, 30, hit .308 with one home run, five RBIs, nine walks and 10 strikeouts in eight games at Syracuse. His deal calls for a $1.5 million salary while in the major leagues.

«Good teammate, really got after it there,» Mets manager Buck Showalter said.

Unsigned during the offseason, Sánchez agreed to a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants on April 1, a deal that called for a $4 million salary if he was added to the 40-man roster. Sánchez hit .164 (9-for-55) with zero home runs, eight RBIs, one double, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 55 at-bats at Triple-A Sacramento. He had a May 1 opt-out provision, was released the following day and signed a minor league contract with the Mets on May 9.

«We're very respectful of what the Yankees and Minnesota and San Francisco have tried to do,» Showalter said. «They also didn't have room for him. So we'll see. We made room, and we're going to take a look at it.»

Sánchez joins what could become a crowded depth chart. Omar Narváez, signed as a free agent by the Mets to a two-year, $15 million contract, hasn't played since April 5 because of a strained left calf.

Tomás Nido and rookie Francisco Álvarez have combined to hit .165 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. Nido batted .118 (6-for-51) with one RBI but hasn't played since May 5 because of dry-eye syndrome. Álvarez, who was in Friday's lineup