How Yankees’ Miguel Andujar-Brett Gardner platoon could be forming

There was a question as to how the Yankees would get Miguel Andujar at-bats. He was blocked at third base by Gio Urshela. He was still learning the outfield corners. But his bat helped him finish runner-up in the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year race.

An answer may have emerged.

Looks like the Yankees will often use Andujar, a righty slugger, in left field on days there’s a southpaw on the mound to give the lefty-swinging Brett Gardner a rest.

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Andujar was in the Yankees’ lineup for Thursday’s game at Camden Yards. The opponent: Left-hander John Means.

“I think that’s one way of getting him in there from time to time,” manager Aaron Boone told reporters before the game. “He’ll get his starts here and there at third base. But, yeah, feel like this is a matchup to get him back in there and, again, trying to keep a few of these guys who haven’t been playing everyday, trying to do as much as possible, trying to get them regular at-bats.”

The Yankees also started Andujar against left-hander Patrick Corbin of the Nationals on Sunday. It didn’t quite pay off as the Dominican Republic native went hitless in three at-bats.

But Gardner hasn’t been any better. He’s hitless in 11 at-bats this season with a walk. He struck out four times against the O’s on Wednesday night and has seven Ks on the season.

Boone was asked why he believes Andujar could handle sporadic playing time after missing mostly all of the 2019 season due to shoulder surgery and being a regular his whole career before that.

“Talent and a great bat-to-ball track record,” Boone said. “That’s a situation he’s in, we’re in. So, there’s no choice right now. I feel like our guys are in a good spot from a focus standpoint. One of the conversations I had with everyone before the start of the season was, look around. There’s 30 people in that room who are all in some way, shape or form deserving of regular playing time, of everyday at-bats in a lot of cases. It’s not going to be a perfect situation for everyone. You’ve got to find a way.

“You’ve got to do everything you can to stay ready. We’re going to try and support all our players as far as whether they’re in the lineup everyday, whether they’re out to try to keep them sharp and fresh and give them every possible chance to be successful when they are in the lineup. That’s one of the challenges that a lot of our guys are going to have to face because of the reality of our roster right now.”

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Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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