Miguel Andujar once was a rising star for the New York Yankees, finishing second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018 before being sidelined by a shoulder injury.
When the Yankees designated Andujar for assignment Thursday, the Pittsburgh Pirates set their sights on the 27-year-old Dominican infielder/outfielder. The Pirates claimed Andujar, who has played primarily third base and left field, off waivers Sunday.
The 6-foot, 211-pound Andujar slashed .273/.303/.449 in 259 games over six seasons with the Yankees but batted .229 with two doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 27 games this season. The Yankees removed him from their 40-man roster to open a spot for reliever Zack Britton.
As a rookie, Andujar started at third base and slashed .297/.328/.527 with 47 doubles, 27 home runs and 92 RBIs. He lost the starting job to Gio Urshela the following year, while sidelined with a shoulder injury, and never approached his rookie numbers again.
“It’s tough,’’ Aaron Boone told New York reporters. “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.”
