TAMPA — J.C. Escarra’s long journey from Uber driver to the big leagues is now officially complete.
The Yankees informed Escarra on Saturday that he is making the team as a backup catcher, setting up the 29-year-old to make his MLB debut at some point in the coming weeks.
Escarra, who played for four different independent league teams in 2022 and 2023 after being released by the Orioles — and spent time as an Uber driver, substitute teacher and food delivery man to help pay the bills — has had a standout spring on both sides of the ball.
Through Saturday, he was batting .333 with a .936 OPS in 17 games.
Escarra is also known as a strong framer and has received praise from pitchers in camp for his work behind the plate.
“He’s done a great job,” general manager Brian Cashman said earlier Saturday. “He’s continued what he did last year and into winter ball and now into spring training.”
The Yankees are set to carry three catchers on their 26-man roster, with Escarra set to serve as a backup to Austin Wells and Ben Rice likely to get more at-bats as DH.
All three are left-handed hitters, which the Yankees have said is not an issue if they are the best three options.
Escarra beat out Alex Jackson, who was in camp as a non-roster invitee after coming over in an offseason trade from the Reds that swapped catcher Jose Trevino for reliever Fernando Cruz.
“I think everybody knew [Escarra] had a legitimate chance to come in here and disrupt the conversation and throw himself into the mix and he’s done that and more,” director of catching Tanner Swanson said earlier this week. “He’s extremely skilled, extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I think what really has stood out beyond that is just the energy he brings. How engaged he is with the pitching staff, I think he’s really developed a rapport there that is required.”
