Andujar works to fix No.1 problem

TAMPA — Position players were not even required to work out Monday, but already Miguel Andujar was out on the back fields putting in extra work. The American League Rookie of the Year finalist was taking balls at third base, working on his approach.

Andujar was picked by the Players Association as the AL Rookie of the Year because of his bat. He slashed .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs and 92 RBI in 573 at-bats last season.

His defense probably cost him some votes in the BBWAA’s voting for the Rookie award, where he finished behind Shohei Ohtani. Andujar’s defensive runs saved rating was a dismal -25 and he had the second-worst fielding percentage (.948) among major-league third baseman. His range factor, 1.99, was the fourth worst.

Aaron Boone said he expects to see improvement in Andujar’s defense because of the extra work he is putting in.

“He’s worked really hard at making a handful of subtle adjustments over there. Think he’s in a really good place in his prepitch, putting him in a really athletic position. I want to see him using his athleticism over there,” the Yankee manager said. “Because when he plays free and easy and is using his legs — the infield is so much about feet and using your legs to create hops and create athleticism. You talk about a guy’s hands all the time, but the great fielders have great feet and are able to create hops for themselves.”

The Yankees would like to see Andujar add a hop step as the ball is being hit to get him into a rhythm as he approaches the ball. In the drills Monday, Andujar was also working on his throwing.