It’s Mickey, DiMaggio... and Andujar
MIGUEL Andujar just keeps raking while fellow Baby Bomber Gleyber Torres is officially on the board. Andujar went 2-for-5 with a homer and a double in the Yankees’ 14-1 victory Monday over the Twins, giving him seven straight games with an extra-base hit. Torres registered his first majorleague hit with an eighth-inning single, going 1-for-4 following an 0-for-4 performance Sunday in his MLB debut.
Andujar has multiple hits in six of those seven games, over which he’s 15-for-29 with three homers, eight RBI and eight doubles. He’s the third Yankee ever younger than 24 years old with an extra-base hit in seven straight games, tying Mickey Mantle (1955) and Joe DiMaggio (1937.)
“A big honor,” Andujar said through an interpreter. “For my name to be in the same sentence as those guys means a lot.”
Torres got a big reception from his teammates after his hit. “Super happy,” he said. “Every at-bat I’m feeling more comfortable.”
If Andujar keeps hitting like this, it will be difficult for Aaron Boone to get at-bats for Brandon Drury, whose return from migraines and blurry vision is on the horizon.
Drury said he’ll begin playing rehab games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, and Boone hopes to have Drury back next week. Drury started at third base in seven of the first eight games. He’s mostly played second base in his MLB career but Torres, the Yanks’ top prospect, is now occupying second.
“I like having the problem, that’s for sure,” Boone said. “Obviously guys are making progress from the injury front, so the more talented guys that we can have in the mix, I look forward to those options, because a couple of weeks ago we were struggling just to get a team out there a couple of those nights.”
Drury, who first said Saturday the root of his migraines is an irritated tendon running up the back of his neck into his head, said acupuncture will be a part of his treatment and he’s feeling better.
CLINT STEPS BACK
Clint Frazier (concussion) is scheduled to begin playing rehab games with Single-A Tampa on Thursday, Boone said. He played in an extended spring training Monday, will play there again today and work out with Tampa Wednesday.
OPTIMISM ON ELLSBURY
Boone said he expects Jacoby Ellsbury to play this season. Ellsbury has had setbacks from hip and plantar fascia injuries since straining an oblique.
“He’s doing baseball activities, moving in the right direction,” Boone said. “As far as a timetable, I’d kind of be guessing at that, but I do expect him back at some point, yeah.”
YANKS LAND COLE FROM NATS
The Yankees acquired righty A.J. Cole from the Nationals for cash considerations. He will be added to the 25-man roster while David Hale, who pitched two scoreless innings in his Yankee debut, was designated for assignment . . . . The Yankees are still awaiting word on MLB’s decision regarding Tyler Austin’s suspension appeal after he was banned five games for his role in a brawl in Boston on April 11.