AUSTIN POWERS
TORONTO — Miguel Andujar is up with the Yankees far sooner than expected. The 23-year-old corner infield prospect was prompted from Triple-A Scranton as a result of Billy McKinney needing to be placed on the disabled list and the Bombers out of outfield options on their 40-man roster. Andujar will join the team on Sunday.
Andujar was unable to pull off the upset at third over heavy favorite Brandon Drury during the spring, despite posting a .928 OPS along with four homers. But the organization remains high on Andujar and his power potential. Andujar was slated to be finishing off his defensive development in the minors — while getting reps at first as well as third.
Aaron Boone said Andujar’s role will be at first, third and DH — with consistent at-bats being realistic due to how decimated the team is by injury.
McKinney (left shoulder AC sprain) joined Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique), Aaron Hicks (intercostal), Clint Frazier (concussion) and Greg Bird (ankle) on the DL. Adam Warren (right ankle contusion) was also injured on Saturday. X-rays on McKinney and Warren both came back negative, though Boone suggested McKinney could miss “at least a few weeks.”
Super utility man Tyler Wade now has the most realistic chance to play the outfield, and could see time in center. The Bombers are currently down to Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner and Giancarlo Stanton out there. Judge made his first MLB start in center on Saturday — catching the only fly ball hit to him.
Brandon Drury, Tyler Austin and Ronald Torreyes also have played outfield in the past. Ellsbury is eligible to come off the DL on Thursday, but Cashman doesn’t know if that is realistic yet.
“We’ll continue to have discussions about what our options are and see how we’ll look in the next 72 hours,” Cashman said. The Yankees play Sunday and Monday, but are off on Tuesday.
Perez, who struggled with the Nationals the last two seasons, gives the Bombers some more lefty relief depth, if necessary. Depth righty pitcher Giovanny Gallegos will start the season on the disabled list due to a groin injury.
Tyler Austin had his first career multihomer game — providing all the Yankees’ offense with two homers and three RBI. His bombs went a combined 853 feet off Marco Estrada. Of his nine career homers, eight have either tied the game or given the Yankees the lead.