KANSAS CITY, Mo. — J.C. Escarra started Monday’s game and delivered three hits, the first time a Yankees catcher has done so this season. 

It did not buy him a start Tuesday, but as the Yankees try to get more production out of their catchers, Escarra has started to get more opportunities of late with Austin Wells struggling to get going a third of the way through the season. 

The Yankees place a premium on the work their catchers do behind the plate, and the way they call a game for the pitching staff, which has been one of the best in the majors through the first two months.

Largely because of that, Wells has gotten the bulk of the playing time, and he was back behind the plate Tuesday night to catch Cam Schlittler against the Royals.