The Yankees placed Miguel Andújar back on the injured list with his lingering shoulder issue Monday, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday an MRI once again revealed a small labrum tear.
The third baseman will make a decision in the next day or so whether he will undergo surgery or attempt to rehab the injury once again without landing on the operating table. Boone said Andújar has been encouraged to discuss his next step with his family.
Andújar's first labrum tear didn't quite heal as everyone hoped after he missed 28 games from April 1 to May 3, and the 24-year-old struggled mightily following his return.
While it was believed his injury would primarily affect his throwing, Boone said he believes the issue has affected him at the plate, as Andújar was 3-for-34 with nine strikeouts, one walk and no extra-base hits in nine games.
The Yankees hoped Andújar wouldn't need surgery and would be fine after rehabbing the torn labrum. But he's been a shell of the player he was as a rookie. He has played third base in just two of the nine games he's played since returning on May 4, DHing in the other seven, but contributed hardly anything offensively.
Fortunately for the Yankees, they've received sizable contributions from Gio Urshela. He's been great defensively at third and has been surprisingly productive and clutch offensively, slashing .341/.396/.505 in 101 plate appearances.