NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 31: Miguel Andujar #41 of the New York Yankees in action against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on March 31, 2019 in the Bronx Borough of New York City. The Orioles defeated the Yankees 7-5. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
The Yankees are quickly becoming the most injured team in MLB. Miguel Andujar is the latest star to go on the Injured List for Aaron Boone’s team.
Many Yankees fans were upset to see Tyler Wade sent down to the minors at the end of Spring Training, but no one wanted to see him come back to the Bronx under these circumstances. A shoulder injury sustained by Miguel Andujar will see him headed to the Injured List and Wade recalled to take his place.
Andujar becomes the second Yankees starter to head to the IL today after Giancarlo Stanton went this morning with a biceps injury. According to Jack Curry, the injury occurred when the second-year star dove back into third base. At the absolute minimum, Andujar will miss 10 days of action. The team hasn’t set a firm timetable for his return at this time.
While Wade is the player being called up to take Andujar’s roster spot, he’s not going to be the guy who gets his starting spot at third base. Instead, look for D.J. LeMahieu to start at the hot corner for the foreseeable future. He flashed a really impressive glove there when Andujar was given a day at DH earlier this season.
Wade then may shift to become the player responsible for giving Troy Tulowitzki the time off he needs at shortstop. His versatility allows him to play quality defense at both second base and short. Wade’s insertion into the lineup should also give the Yankees a little more speed on the base paths.
No matter how you look at it, the Yankees have to start feeling a little bit cursed. The injuries to Stanton and Andujar add to an already lengthy list of New York stars who are sidelined at the moment. Aaron Hicks, Dellin Betances and CC Sabathia should be back with the team relatively soon. Ace starting pitcher Luis Severino could be in line to return next month. The team’s starting shortstop Didi Gregorius won’t return until June or July at the absolute earliest as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The current injury crisis only heaps more pressure on a Yankees team that got off to a disappointing 1-2 start against the Orioles. Fans are already expecting Boone to turn things around immediately, but his job will get much more difficult without Andujar in the every day lineup. The Yankees are blessed with a good amount of organizational depth, but it’s being put to the test far too early in the season for the team’s liking.