Gary Sánchez returns to the Milwaukee Brewers, bringing power-hitting experience to a familiar lineup and a potential part-time DH role.
The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million deal with veteran catcher Gary Sánchez, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Sánchez, 33, spent the 2025 season with the Baltimore Orioles but was limited to just 30 games due to wrist inflammation and other injuries that kept him sidelined for much of the year.
During his time with Baltimore, Sánchez posted a .231/.297/.418 slash line with an OPS+ of 100, making him a league-average hitter in his limited action with the club.
This will mark Sánchez’s second stint with the Brewers in the past three seasons. He spent the 2024 season as Milwaukee’s primary backup behind William Contreras, and also served as the designated hitter in 40 games that year.
In 2024, Sánchez posted a .220/.307/.392 slash line with 11 home runs and an OPS+ of 94. He can be expected to fill a part-time DH role for the Brewers heading into next season.
Looking at Sánchez’s career to this point, the former top prospect with the New York Yankees was once among the more formidable hitters in the league and a clear power threat early on.
In recent seasons, however, Sánchez has taken a step back in terms of overall production, particularly when factoring in his defensive reputation. While he was solid defensively behind the plate in both 2022 and 2023, he graded closer to average in 2024 and slipped back below average in 2025.
Sánchez will return to a Milwaukee club where he is familiar with several members of the pitching staff, including Brandon Woodruff, Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, Aaron Ashby, and Jared Koenig, though the Brewers’ roster has seen notable turnover in the roughly 18 months since his initial departure.
The Brewers recently signed veteran catcher Reese McGuire to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
McGuire had been in line to serve as Contreras’ backup, but now appears likely to begin the season at Triple-A Nashville, assuming his contract does not include an opt-out clause that would allow him to explore other opportunities late in camp.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!