Gary Sánchez reports to Brewers camp, says injured hand led to holdup in finalizing deal

PHOENIX – The Milwaukee Brewers had to wait longer than expected to sign Gary Sánchez. Now, it remains to be seen how long it will be until he joins the team on the field in camp.

Sánchez was at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Thursday but only as a spectator as the team ramped up preparations for its Cactus League opener, which comes Saturday against the San Diego Padres in Peoria.

Speaking to reporters for the first time in the afternoon, Sánchez indicated it was a hand injury suffered in the offseason and not the season-ending fractured wrist that threw a wrench into contract negotiations and now his ability to begin playing.

"I recovered completely from the hit by pitch last year," he said through coach and translator Daniel de Monseret. "A few weeks before signing I was in the gym and kind of turned my hand a little bit doing an exercise and something kind of flared up.

"But I had completely recovered from the hit by pitch last year, and it has nothing to do with what's going on now."

Typically, veterans like Sánchez don't begin seeing extensive action in games for at least the first week, so there is time for him to get his feet under him.

"I don't have a time to give you," he said when asked what the timetable will be. "I feel good right now. Just taking it day by day. Going with what the trainers give me. We'll get in there and talk to them tomorrow and see what tomorrow brings."

It took more than two weeks from the time Sánchez and the Brewers had reportedly agreed to terms to the deal actually being finalized. After concerns about the hand drew out the negotiations, the sides eventually agreed upon a one-year, $3 million deal that includes another $4 million in possible incentives.

There is also a mutual option for 2025.

"It was a process that was more or less long," he said. "I had a little something in the hand but thanks to God I'm here and now with plenty of time to get to know the players and the coaches.

"I stayed positive. There were never any bad words said on behalf of the Brewers, so I felt comfortable and confident that we were going to be able to get a deal done and fortunately we were able to do so."

Sánchez, who slugged 19 home runs and drove in 46 runs in 72 games for the San Diego Padres in 2023, said Milwaukee's competitiveness is what appealed to him as he navigated the offseason.

"This is always a playoff team," he said. "A team that's fighting at the very end. I like the way these guys fight and compete, and me too – that's what I like to do. I like to compete. Whatever job is given to me, I'm going to do the best that I can to my ability to go out there, compete and give the best of myself."

The expectation is Sánchez and William Contreras will split time between catcher and designated hitter during the regular season, giving the Brewers one of the most potent 1-2 punches of starting and backup catchers in the major leagues.

"Whenever the team wants me to catch, I'll be ready to go," he said. "I'll throw the gear on and be ready to catch. And whenever the team wants me to DH I'll be ready to hit.

"So, here and ready to go for whatever the team needs."

Later Thursday the Brewers announced they had released catcher Austin Nola, a five-year veteran who was in camp on a minor-league deal.

“With the addition of Gary Sánchez and our other depth at the catching position, we thought the chance at a new opportunity would be the right thing to do for Austin," general manager Matt Arnold said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gary Sánchez reports to Brewers camp, says injured hand was issue