Brewers, Sánchez restructure deal over hand concerns

The Milwaukee Brewers signed catcher Gary Sánchez to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2025, the team announced Wednesday.

Sánchez and the Brewers first reached an agreement in early February. He said Thursday that the deal was held up after he suffered a hand injury during a workout several weeks ago, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that the sides restructured the agreement after the catcher's physical didn't ease the team's concerns about his right wrist, citing sources. Sánchez fractured that wrist in September when he was struck by a 98-mph pitch.

Sánchez's contract before the physical was reportedly for $7 million over one year. His new deal will pay him a $3-million base salary with incentives that would allow him to earn $7 million if he stays healthy, reports Rosenthal.

The 31-year-old backstop is expected to serve as a designated hitter and primary backup to William Contreras after a turnaround campaign in 2023 for the San Diego Padres. Sánchez slugged .500 with 19 home runs in 72 games.

Milwaukee is expected to keep another catcher, Eric Haase, on the active roster after signing him to a one-year, $1-million deal in December, a source told Rosenthal.

To make room for Sánchez on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee moved pitcher Brandon Woodruff - who re-signed with the club on a two-year contract earlier Wednesday - to the 60-day injured list.