New York Yankees sit catcher Gary Sanchez again over poor defense

New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi would not describe it as a benching, but he sat catcher Gary Sanchez for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Indians while criticizing the All-Star's defense.

Girardi started backup catcher Austin Romine for the second straight game against the Indians at Progressive Field.

"The start is not the message," Girardi told reporters prior to the game. "The message came from us verbally that, 'Your defense needs to improve. That you need to get better. You need to work at it.' We have stressed how important it is. There are certain situations that some people may not think that something that happens in the game affects the next game. It could if it leads to 10 extra pitches for a reliever."

Girardi was asked whether Sanchez was a better defensive catcher in 2016.

"That's a really good question because the staff has changed somewhat and you don't know how much that has to do with it," Girardi said.

Girardi said the 24-year-old Sanchez will would start behind the plate on Tuesday in Toronto, following the Yankees' day off on Monday.

Girardi admitted his decision to go with Romine after a night game was unusual but pointed out Sanchez played 11 games in a row.

"I really loved what Romine did," Girardi said.

Sanchez is hitting .265 with 17 home runs and 52 RBIs in 77 games this season. Romine, 28, is batting .226 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 59 games.