ARLINGTON, Texas _ Gary Sanchez tried to talk his way into Wednesday's lineup, but Aaron Boone wasn't having it.
Wanting to be cautious with Sanchez, the Yankees manager elected to start Austin Romine at catcher against the Rangers. Sanchez exited Tuesday's game in the sixth inning due to cramping in his right calf.
The Bombers are off Thursday before playing on Friday against the Angels at Yankee Stadium.
"We feel like we dodged a bullet," Boone said. "He came out here and did some agility and running work and checked out OK. He was actually texting me early this morning that he was good to go, but I just _ with the off-day (Thursday) _ probably felt it was best to hold him back today. But I think he'll be an option for us (Wednesday) if we need him."
Sanchez missed two games earlier this season after cramping up in an extra-inning loss to Baltimore on April 6. He returned April 10 as the DH before catching on April 11.
"I feel like it's less (serious than that)," Boone said. "We haven't dealt with a lot of heat yet so hopefully we squashed it and it won't be an issue."
Romine replaced Sanchez, who has 12 homers, 33 RBIs and an .878 OPS, and hit a two-run homer and threw out a runner trying to steal second. Romine is hitting .341.
