Andújar to see specialist about hand, wrist

March 14th, 2021

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees infielder/outfielder is scheduled to see a specialist on Monday or Tuesday to address soreness in his right hand and wrist, manager Aaron Boone said on Sunday.

Andújar first experienced the soreness while playing for Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League. Andújar is 2-for-15 (.133) in six Grapefruit League games this spring and has not played since Wednesday.

“It's something he felt a little bit this winter in Winter ball when he took a swing, but it's kind of calmed down,” Boone said. “He was obviously playing and fine -- and then he noticed it in his last game he played. It just got a little more sore again, so we've been treating it here these last several days.”

Andujar is fighting for a place on the Yankees’ 26-man roster this spring. With Gio Urshela entrenched as the starting third baseman, the Bombers planned to have Andújar play first base, left field and right field in order to increase the 26-year-old’s versatility off the bench.

The runner-up to the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani for the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year, Andújar batted .297/.328/.527 (130 OPS+) with 27 homers and 92 RBIs for New York that season. But his career was derailed by a right shoulder injury sustained early in the 2019 season.

Over the past two seasons, Andújar has batted .193/.219/.257 (30 OPS+) with one home run and six RBIs in 33 Major League games.

Boone said catcher Robinson Chirinos is also scheduled to see a specialist, seeking a second opinion on his fractured right wrist. Surgery is possible for the 36-year-old veteran, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee.