Miguel Andujar's latest injury setback is a sore right hand and wrist
Yankees' Miguel Andujar will see a hand specialist this week after his latest injury setback. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
DUNEDIN, Fla. — More bad luck for Miguel Andujar.
And there’s no telling just how much time this injury will cost a player who once was considered a star in waiting.
Before the Yankees’ 5-1 victory over the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark on Sunday, Aaron Boone disclosed that the 2018 American Leaue Rookie of the Year runner-up has a "sore [right] hand and wrist" and that he will see a hand specialist early this week.
"We’ll know more about it [Monday] or Tuesday," Boone said.
Boone said Andujar, whose 2019 season was all but wiped out by a fluke shoulder injury (torn labrum) suffered while he dived back to third base, first felt the discomfort while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
Andujar is 2-for-15 but has struck out only once in spring training. The first five games presented no issues, but he "noticed it in the last game he played," Boone said.
"It just got a little more sore again, so we’ve kind of been treating it here these last several days."
Andujar’s path to making the roster out of camp was a long shot to begin with — "player without a position," more than one opposing team scout has said — but the slew of injuries that typically occur during a season figured to result in an opportunity at some point. In addition, his offensive potential makes him a desirable piece if the Yankees decide to try to move him.
"Absolutely [there would be interest]," another rival scout said. "Everyone sees the bat."
Big improvement
Boone described himself as feeling "awesome" 1 1⁄2 weeks after having a pacemaker implanted.
"So much better, really," he said. "Just a lot different. Energy, even cardiovascular workout capabilities, like [I’ve] done some rides I haven’t done in a few months . . . Still have some arm restriction, so I can’t lift weights like I normally do, but that’ll be hopefully a few more weeks. But as far as just getting around and energy in the mornings and all day, so much better."
Nick knacks
Nick Nelson, a 25-year-old righthander who posted a 4.79 ERA in 11 games last season in his big-league debut, continued to make his case for a bullpen spot Sunday.
Nelson still hasn’t allowed a run in spring training after striking out two in 1 2⁄3 scoreless innings. He has allowed four hits and no walks with six strikeouts in 6 1⁄3 innings in four games.
"That’s been some filthy [expletive]," one rival talent evaluator said recently. "Night and day [from last year]. He can spin a breaking ball in there now."
Nelson has been almost exclusively a starter for most of his minor-league career (74 of 76 games), but he’s ready to earn a spot in the bullpen.
"I’m all for it," he said with a smile.
Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.
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