Yankees' Gary Sanchez strains groin, likely headed to DL

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Giancarlo Stanton’s second career five-hit game became a footnote on Sunday when the Yankees lost their All-Star catcher.

After Gary Sanchez exited with an apparent right groin strain in the 10th, Jake Bauers’ 12th-inning, leadoff homer against Chasen Shreve gave the Rays a 7-6 win at Tropicana Field and completed the three-game sweep.

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Following Stanton's fifth hit, an infield single, Sanchez limped off the field after grounding into a double play.

"It's bothering me right now,'' Sanchez said after the game through an interpreter. He injured himself stretching for the base, attempting to avoid the double play.

Sanchez will undergo an MRI on Monday at Tampa, but he's likely to wind up on the 10-day disabled list according to manager Aaron Boone.

"We'll have a better idea of the timeline (on Monday),'' Boone said. 

The Yankees plan to call up catcher Kyle Higashioka from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to back up Austin Romine. 

"I'm just hoping it's not a long time,'' Sanchez said. "I'll keep my head up and try to get back as soon as possible.''

Romine filled in for Sanchez (biceps strain) in April 2017, when the Yanks began to look like a contender in a season that began without much expectation for a postseason run.

"I'll try to stay consistent, try to fill in as best I can 'til he gets back,'' said Romine, hitting .305 in 28 games. "Gary is an All-Star ... we've got to go forward.''