Yankees: Why there’s no need to panic over Miguel Andujar’s slow start

The Yankees couldn’t be happier to have Miguel Andujar back in their lineup but since his return last Saturday he’s really struggled to get going offensively.

Andujar has looked very rusty since returning to the Yankees lineup but let’s not forget that before landing on the IL with a small labrum tear on April 1st he only played in three games. Even though he did play in some extended spring training games and a couple of games for the Tampa Tarpons prior to being activated it’s not too surprising to see him get off to a slow start.

That being said this is the most we’ve seen Miggy struggle at the plate since coming up to the big leagues, albeit over a very small sample size. In 32 at-bats so far this season he’s hitting .156 with no home runs and only 1 RBI. Since returning off the IL he’s 2 for 19 with 5 K’s.

Miggy has always been known as a bit of a free swinger throughout his pro career but over the past five games, he’s expanded the strike zone a lot and his overall timing at the plate looks off. He’s been chasing fastballs up at his eyes and breaking balls down in the dirt and he’s not making the adjustments to lay off. When he has put the ball in play he’s been out in front on everything and it’s led to a lot of infield pop outs.

Despite his struggles, it’s still unfair to judge a hitter of Miggy’s caliber after only 19 at-bats back because sooner or later he’s going to break out of it and be a huge contributor to the lineup. That’s why skipper Aaron Boone isn’t all that concerned about his struggles according to Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News.

“He’s not totally locked in like when Miggy really gets it rolling and he’s hanging line drives it seems every at-bat. He’ll get there. There’s no doubt in my mind. He’s that good of a hitter. But he has to just get through this little stretch where he’s finding his way, and he will.”

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Since his return, the Yankees have opted to use Miggy as the DH in four out of five games and Gio Urshela at third base but over the next couple days, that could change. During Wednesday night’s loss against the Mariners, the red-hot Urshela was forced to leave the game after fouling a pitch off his left knee. X-Rays after the game came back negative but the Yankees are probably going to be cautious and keep Gio out of the lineup at least for tonight’s series finale.

In his first game back at third on Saturday Andujar committed two errors including one on a throw.  Given his past defensive struggles and the fact that his labrum is still partially torn there’s always going to be some cause for concern when he plays the field.

Hopefully, Gio won’t have to miss more than just a game or two because until Giancarlo Stanton returns the Yankees best lineup moving forward is the one with him at third base and Miggy as the primary DH.