The New York Yankees activated Aaron Judge off the injured list and recalled some bodies from the alternate site too.
The New York Yankees have activated Aaron Judge off the injured list, but that’s not the main story this week.
Rather, it is the number of players the team has called up to the majors ahead of three doubleheaders this week. Per a statement from the team, Miguel Andujar is one of the names to be recalled.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees placed LHP Luis Avilán on the 10-day injured list (retro. to 8/22) with left shoulder inflammation, recalled INF/OF Miguel Andújar (#41) and RHP Brooks Kriske (#82) from the Alternate Site and reinstated OF Aaron Judge (#99) from the 10-day IL
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) August 25, 2020
Left-hander James Paxton was also placed on the injured list with an elbow strain, as was shortstop Gleyber Torres with quad and hamstring strains.
The Yankees made these roster adjustments with a busy week ahead. Thanks to a rainout in Atlanta on Tuesday and the New York Mets’ positive COVID-19 test eliminating last weekend’s Subway Series, New York’s schedule is as follows:
8/26: Doubleheader at ATL
8/27: Off
8/28: Doubleheader vs. NYM
8/29: Single game vs. NYM
8/30: Doubleheader vs. NYM— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 25, 2020
JB’s Take
The good news is Aaron Judge is back after missing a week with a calf strain and should provide an immediate boost to the lineup. The bad news is Torres was injured right as he was turning a corner, and the ineffective Miguel Andujar is filling his spot the roster while he recovers.
Andujar has shuttled back and forth between the Bronx and the Yankees’ alternate site in Pennsylvania all season long. After breaking out as a rookie, he missed most of 2019 with a shoulder injury. Thanks to Gio Urshela’s breakout season and superior defense at third base, Andujar is fighting for an MLB opportunity.
In 2020, early returns haven’t been promising. Andujar, who has since shifted to the outfield, is batting a paltry .095 in limited action this year. In the Yankees’ recent series against the Tampa Bay Rays, he struggled in left field and had no strong at-bats at all.
Even though Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada should fill in at shortstop, remember DJ LeMahieu is also hurt. Andujar’s issues this year aside, he knows how to make hard contact. There could be more at-bats for him than one may realize, especially with seven games in less than a week.
More importantly, the trade deadline is less than a week away. If Andujar can put together some promising at-bats, the Yankees may be able to include him in a deal for pitching. Andy Martino of SNY reported the team was interested in San Francisco Giants righty Kevin Gausman. Jon Morosi of MLB.com also reported New York was interested in Seattle Mariners hurler Taijuan Walker.
It’ll be a rough week for the Bronx Bombers, but Aaron Judge being back is a huge step forward after a rough week. Hopefully, the New York Yankees return to top form soon.
