Miguel Andujar Returns As New York Takes On Minnesota
On Saturday afternoon in the Bronx New York will not only look to take the lead in game two of their three game series against Minnesota but they will get a little bit healthier as well as Miguel Andujar will return to the diamond.
Miguel Andújar spent most of April at the Yankees' complex in Tampa, Fla., working to strengthen his injured right shoulder, he found it difficult to watch the team's games on television while being unable to help the big league squad. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
That will change Saturday, when Andujar is set to be activated from the injured list. Andujar is expected to return to the lineup for the first time since he sustained a partial tear of his right labrum diving into third base during a March 31 game against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
"Every day, I feel better," Andujar said through a translator. "I have to keep on working on my shoulder, keep getting the strength back. If things keep improving the way they have been improving day by day, I feel really good about that." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
After easing into action in extended spring games, Andujar played in three rehab games for Class A Advanced Tampa, going 3-for-10 with a homer and four RBIs. Andujar said his throwing feels "normal" and that he was able to make strong throws across the infield during his Minor League action, adding that the injury "doesn't cross my mind at all."“according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
"Getting into a game and playing, seeing action on the field, was probably the most important thing for me," Andujar said. "I did that in Tampa, played in a couple of games down there, and everything felt good. That being said, I've got to keep working on my shoulder, keep stretching and keep doing all the rehab work and the maintenance that goes along when you suffer an injury like mine." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that while he considers Andujar ready to play third base, Boone plans to use him mostly as a designated hitter in the short term, allowing Gio Urshela to continue starting at third base. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
"With our roster the way it's set up right now, Gio will play a lot of third so we can DH Miggy a fair amount as well," Boone said. "We'll just kind of mix and match based on the day, but I feel comfortable that he's ready to go from a defensive standpoint." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
Andujar said that, until further notice, he anticipates he will be able to avoid season-ending surgery. Boone echoed that, saying the club is "optimistic" Andujar's return will be permanent. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return
"He's passed some significant tests as far as the shoulder and how he's doing," Boone said. "We feel good about that he's ready to handle this and excited to get him back in the mix. Miggy is a really good player. Especially with so many guys out right now, to get a guy that swings the bat the way Miguel does back in the fold, I think it'll add some length to the lineup." “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/miguel-andujar-injured-list-return.
New York who is a member of the American League East comes into game with a record of 18-13 while Minnesota who is a member of the American League Central comes into the game with a record of 19-11. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/standings
J.A. Happ will start for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 1-2 with a 4.68 earn run average. J.A. Happ allowed five hits over seven scoreless innings to pick up his first victory of the season in his last start against the Giants. He walked none and struck out two in the 95-pitch effort. He will oppose Minnesota right -hander Jake Odorizzi who comes into the game with a record of 3-2 but his earn run average is lower then J.A. Happ’s at 3.34 “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers
Minnesota meanwhile will look to even up the series.
As for the opening game between New York and Minnesota, New York won the opener but the game wasn’t injury free.
The Yankees lost left-hander James Paxton to a knee injury early in Friday’s game against the Twins. But the Yankees bullpen took over and did enough as it helped defeat the Twins, 6-3, at Yankee Stadium. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
The Yankees bullpen -- Jonathan Holder, Adam Ottavino, Tommy Kahnle, Zack Britton and Aroldis Chapman -- took over after Paxton pitched three innings and combined to pitch six innings, struck out seven batters and allowed two hits, one of which was a two-run bomb by Nelson Cruz. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
Holder set the tone and pitched two shutout innings, struck out two batters and received the victory, while Chapman picked up his sixth save of the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
“It was great [to see the bullpen come through], especially against a team like Minnesota that comes in here swinging the bat so well,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “They have a lot of dangerous guys up and down that lineup. We had to lean on the bullpen tonight. ... It’s not how you draw it up when you have Pax going, but certainly a good win for us.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
Paxton was grateful that the bullpen saved him and held the Twins in check. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
“Those guys did great. They saved me big time, being able to come in there and do such a great job,” Paxton said. “Everyone was fantastic today.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
It was a game that saw Ottavino enter the game earlier than expected. He usually enters a game in the seventh or eighth inning. But he came in the top of the sixth and dominated, striking out Cruz and C.J. Cron. Ottavino also induced Marwin Gonzalez to ground out to first baseman Luke Voit. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
After the game, Ottavino’s mind was on the health of Paxton.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
“Obviously, we can’t afford to lose him for too long. But at this point, I think we are kind of used to it,” Ottavino said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
In the meantime, Gary Sánchez was the basher on this night, collecting three hits and hitting two monster home runs. Both homers were solo shots. Sanchez now has 12 multi-homer games in 284 games, becoming the second-fastest player in Major League history to reach 12 multi-homer games. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
“[Gary] is a gifted offensive player. It’s not surprising,” Boone said. “When you see the kind of swing that he has and the way he is able to impact the ball, it’s something that he is capable of. That’s why we expect a lot of him and demand a lot of him because we know he is capable of those kind of things. His power has been big for us this year.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
Since coming off the injured list on April 24, Sanchez has clubbed four home runs with nine RBIs.”according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
“My timing was off after the IL. It’s a matter of making a adjustments. I’m trying to stay away at swinging at bad pitches,” Sanchez said. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/yankees-bullpen-strong-after-paxton-injury
First pitch is set for 1:05pm from Yankee Stadium. The game will be televised on Major League Baseball Network and Yes. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/schedule/2019-05