Urshela day to day after foul ball hits knee

NEW YORK -- The Yankees were relieved to hear that Gio Urshela's trip to the X-ray machine revealed only a left knee contusion, though the injury could mean that Miguel Andújar is pressed into regular duty at third base sooner than anticipated.

Urshela was hobbled after fouling a ball off the knee in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 10-1 loss to the Mariners, exiting the game after flying out. Having returned from a right shoulder injury earlier this week, Andujar said that he will be prepared to reclaim the hot corner if asked.

"I am going to be ready to play," Andujar said through a translator. "This is unfortunate. We have had many injuries this year already. I don't know for sure what's going to happen with him, but if I have to go and play the field, I am ready to play."

Andujar went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Wednesday and is 2-for-19 in five games since returning from the injured list. He has played once at third base, serving as the designated hitter four times.

"Bad days are going to happen, regardless of how good you feel, especially when you face good pitching like tonight," Andujar said. "But I am confident in myself and the way I know I can hit."

Manager Aaron Boone is not concerned about the slide affecting Andujar's mental state.

"He's really good," Boone said. "You're going to go through this as a big leaguer, even when you're a really good player, so he'll work his way through it, and it'll be fun when he does."

The Yankees made a roster move after the game, optioning right-hander Jake Barrett to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after he allowed five runs in two innings of relief.

Though a corresponding move has not been announced, the Scranton (Pa.) Times-Tribune reported late Wednesday that left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. will have his contract selected by New York. Cortes is not on the 40-man roster, so his addition would require another move.