Andujar (labrum tear) could face surgery
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NEW YORK -- Miguel Andújar was one of the Yankees' most consistent performers from wire to wire last year, but a small labrum tear in the infielder's right shoulder is threatening to keep him out of action for an extended period -- and perhaps the rest of the 2019 season.
And¨˛jar landed on the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's 3-1 victory over the Tigers at Yankee Stadium, with infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said And¨˛jar will be treated conservatively for two weeks, adding that season-ending surgery will be discussed.
"Surgery could be in play, which would obviously compromise his season," Boone said. "There is some optimism that he would respond to the rehab protocol. His physical test with the doctors was actually really good, so there is some optimism that if treated conservatively he could respond and come back and play. We'll know that in a couple of weeks."
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And¨˛jar sustained the injury diving back into third base in the fourth inning of New York's 7-5 loss to the Orioles on Sunday. And¨˛jar remained in that game, finishing 1-for-5 with a run scored, and Boone said that And¨˛jar was able to make all of his necessary throws between innings.
"That's a tough one, especially the labrum," said Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. "Anything in the shoulder is pretty complicated. We'll see how it turns out. He's a tough individual. He'll fight through it, no matter how long it is, and come back stronger than ever."
The runner-up to the Angels' Shohei Ohtani in voting for last year's American League Rookie of the Year Award, the 24-year-old And¨˛jar was batting .231 (3-for-13) with one RBI through three games.
Last season, And¨˛jar led all big league rookies in hits (170), doubles (47), RBIs (92), extra-base hits (76) and multi-hit games (53), tying for first in home runs (27) and ranking second in runs (83) and batting average (.297).
In And¨˛jar's absence, Boone said DJ LeMahieu will receive the majority of playing time at third base. A three-time Gold Glove Award-winning second baseman, LeMahieu had not played third base since 2014 with the Rockies until this week, when he appeared there twice.
Wade enjoyed a strong spring, batting .308 (16-for-52) with seven doubles, a home run and three RBIs, but lost his roster spot late in camp when the club acquired outfielder Mike Tauchman from the Rockies.
"You don't want to get called up for an injury, but I'm happy to be here and contribute," said Wade, who hailed an Uber minivan from PNC Field in Moosic, Pa., on Monday and made it to Yankee Stadium in the seventh inning.
Including left-hander CC Sabathia, who will be placed on the injured list Tuesday with the expiration of his five-game suspension, the Yankees will have a Major League-leading 10 players on the injured list.
"It's not the way you would draw things up coming out of spring and into the season," Brett Gardner said. "Obviously we were not expecting to get that depth tested early on, but here we are on April 1st and already making moves. Guys will just have to step up and get the job done while some of these guys are down. The season doesn't slow down and wait on anyone."