HOUSTON -- Gary Sanchez has quickly supplanted seven-time All-Star Brian McCann as the New York Yankees top catcher.The 23-year-old hit his fifth home run since he was brought up on Aug. 3, his fourth in four games, during the Yankees 7-4 loss to Toronto on Wednesday.Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, speaking at the owners meetings in Houston, said general manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi will decide the future of McCann, who is signed through 2018.It was always the case that Sanchez at some point was going to come up and hopefully come up to stay, Steinbrenner said. So well cross that bridge in the offseason when we come to it. But McCanns a great player, too, so well just have to figure that out.Carlos Beltran was traded to Texas and Alex Rodriguez was released as part of the Yankees recent youth movement, and McCann is the latest veteran to lose playing time.Sanchez, who made a one-game call-up as a designated hitter in May, has started seven of 14 games behind the plate since he rejoined the Yankees this month and has been the DH for six more. McCann has caught just twice since then and been the DH seven times, while backup catcher Austin Romine has been behind the plate five times.McCann called Sanchez one of the better, if not the best, young catchers since Ive been in the big leagues. He understands what Girardi is doing with Sanchez, whose defense improved considerably this year while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.He told us its the time when hes going to play and play a lot, McCann said. Listen, hes a future All-Star, year in and year out. There are not many guys walking around with that talent. Its going to be nice seeing him grow into that player.Thus far with the Yankees, Sanchez is hitting .360 with 11 RBI in 53 plate appearances, bringing energy to the lineup along with right fielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Tyler Austin, who homered back-to-back in their big league debuts Saturday.McCann is batting .231 this season with 15 homers and 45 RBI. He was born in Athens, Georgia, went to high school in Duluth and could be sought by the Atlanta Braves, who drafted him in 2002. He made all his All-Star appearances with Atlanta, then left after the 2013 season to sign an $85 million, five-year deal with the Yankees.McCann wouldnt discuss the future, saying Im not going to get into all that.His contract includes salaries of $17 million in each of the next two seasons and a $15 million club option for 2019 with no buyout. The option would become guaranteed if McCann has 1,000 plate appearances combined in 2017-18 and makes 90 starts at catcher in 2018 and is not on the disabled list at the end of the season. If the option becomes guaranteed, McCann can void it.Sanchez was bumped up to the cleanup spot for the first time Wednesday, with Judge right behind him.It says that theyve handled whatever weve given them so far, Girardi said. Obviously, these are two young men that have the ability to be very productive. Some guys out of the lineup today, we moved them up against the lefty, let them go get it. Obviously, your hope is over time they can become middle-of-the-order hitters.---AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick and AP freelance writer Doug Gould contributed to this report from New York. Discount Custom Nike NFL Jerseys . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Wholesale Custom NFL Jerseys . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. http://www.customjerseysnfl.com/ . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. Custom NFL Jerseys China . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Custom Nike Jerseys .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Its been a busy week on the fantasy football waiver wire -- especially at running back -- as many notable players went down with injuries and owners scrambled for their replacements.Some fantasy players may feel quite undermanned heading into Week 3, but there are no bye week issues yet and hopefully good depth and/or a fruitful excursion to the free agent list has you ready for this weeks full slate of games.---BATTLE OF THE BACKUPSThe Panthers host the Vikings in a featured matchup of teams that are relying on reserve running backs to step forward for injured starters. Jerick McKinnon takes over for the shelved Adrian Peterson, with Matt Asiata also playing a role as a short-yardage vulture. The Panthers have allowed 106.5 rushing yards per game so far, so plug in the nifty McKinnon right away if you lost Peterson, and consider him as a flex play if you simply landed him off waivers. Asiata scored nine TDs when Peterson was suspended in 2014, but is better used when byes roll around. Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker may share some work in place of Jonathan Stewart. The stingy Vikings defense is sixth against the run so far and Artis-Payne might only post mediocre totals, while Whittaker can give you some point-per-reception respectability because of his pass-catching abilities.---DOWNTRODDEN BROWNSCleveland has already lost their top two quarterbacks, and have to go with untested rookie Cody Kessler at Miami, which should be hungry to win after losing at Seattle and New England. Promising rookie Corey Coleman broke his hand in practice this week, and even suspended wideout Josh Gordon battled more off-field issues as Cleveland continues to spiral downward. Isaiah Crowell may have to face stacked fronts and Gary Barnidges appeal has fallen again. Meanwhile, Ryan Tannehill has a very appealing matchup and an emerging DeVante Parker is looking like a viable starter on the rise.---RISE OF THE ROOKIE STAREzekiel Elliott was a first-round pick in many leagues, but has yet to break out with 134 rushing yards in two games. He does have two rushing TDs, but only 5 receiving yards and there were public whispers about his conditioning and focus this week. Elliott would quiet doubters and please those who invested a high pick in him (including the Cowboys) with a strong performance against the Bears. Chicago has allowed 114.5 rushing yards per game and lost three key members of its defensive front to injuries this week. This is the game for Elliott and an underperforming Dallas offensive line to truly get on track.---STILL CHARGINGSan Diego lost Danny Woodhead this past week, Keenan Allen is already gone, and Antonio Gates is trying to work through a hamstring problem. Fortunately for San Diego, they draw what appears to be the AFCs worst defense as they travel to Indianapolis. The resurgent Melvin Gordon already has threee rushing scores after not registering any in his rookie year and is a prime start this week with a larger role awaiting with Woodhead out.dddddddddddd Gordon is a terrific daily fantasy play, as the Colts have allowed 125 rushing yards per game so far. Newly signed Dexter McCluster should be added as a free agent for point-per-reception depth if still available, and WRs Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams are good starts against a pass defense that has already surrendered nearly 600 passing yards.---SEATTLE SLUMPThe Seahawks offense has scored only one TD through its first two games. Russell Wilson has not been himself because of an ankle injury that has limited his mobility and sometimes affected his passing. A home date vs. the 49ers may appear to cure some ills, but divisional games are never easy. Keep Wilson reserved until he shows signs of improving. Christine Michael is a good flex option this week. Thomas Rawls is now doubtful with a shin injury. Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett still have potential to be playmakers even if their game is lower scoring. Also add Jimmy Graham if he is still a free agent, as he is gradually starting to get closer to being a more frequent contributor.---TALE OF TWO TAMPASJameis Winston will try to put a terrible Week 2 behind him and regroup against the Rams. Charles Sims takes over for the injured Doug Martin and should get strong starting consideration because of his versatility and expanded role. Winston is too erratic to be trusted yet, but Mike Evans is already flourishing in a lot of leagues and slot receiver Adam Humphries is looking like an interesting add in leagues with 14 teams or more, or even very competitive 12-teamers. This could be the week when Rams RB Todd Gurley shows his 2015 form.---ERRATIC PACKThe Green Bay offense has continued to disappoint, as Aaron Rodgers has been the ninth-best QB in fantasy so far. The Lions have allowed 592 yards and six TDs to opposing passers, so there is hope for an upturn this week. Expect Jordy Nelson to score and Randall Cobb to display his better form again. Eddie Lacy should get a chance to finish off a scoring drive or two with a TD run. Matthew Stafford will keep pace and you can start Marvin Jones and Eric Ebron with confidence. The Packers defense has been very good against the run so far, but Theo Riddick should play an expanded role this week with Ameer Abdullah out.---MONDAY NIGHT FIREWORKSThe Monday night matchup between the Falcons and Saints looks like a shootout. This is a week to consider rolling out even secondary fantasy types on both teams, such as Mohamed Sanu and Michael Thomas at WR.---This column was provided to The Associated Press by the Fantasy Sports Network, http://FNTSY.com . ' ' '
