Miguel Andujar was once one of the Yankees’ top prospects and played well enough to finish second to Shohei Ohtani for AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2018.
That seems like a long time ago. Andujar was sidetracked by a shoulder injury the following season and his career went downhill after that.
His career hit a new low on Thursday, when the Yankees designated the 27-year-old for assignment in order to open up a 40-man roster spot for the return of reliever Zack Britton. Andujar had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday to make room for Luis Severino on the active roster.
Andujar was on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees can’t trade him, because the Aug. 2 trade deadline has come and gone, but he could still clear waivers and return to the Yankees’ system.
Several scouts in attendance at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night believe Andujar would get picked up. But his time with the Yankees appears to be over.
“It’s tough,’’ Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ 5-4, 10-inning win over Boston. “He’s a great kid who worked really hard to be a quality left fielder. He’s still really talented. You never know when it can still click for a guy.”
Andujar lost his starting job at third base to Gio Urshela following his 2019 injury and tried to come back as a utility player, learning first base and left field.
He never came close to duplicating his 2018 results at the plate, so he couldn’t make up for his defensive shortcomings.
Andujar played 27 games with the Yankees this season and went just 22-for-96 (.229) in 100 plate appearances. Worse, he finished with three extra-base hits, three walks and 22 strikeouts and a .531 OPS, a far cry from the 47 doubles, 27 homers and .855 OPS he compiled in 2018.