Yankees News: Miguel Andujar Optimistic About Early Return, Doctor Backs Diagnosis

Miguel Andujar is not willing to give up on the 2019 season despite being ruled out for at least a few weeks with a shoulder injury. The New York Yankees fear that a season-ending surgery will be required if rehabilitation does not work in the coming weeks.

The Yankees third baseman sustained the injury during their loss to the Boston Orioles on Sunday and initially it was diagnosed as a right shoulder strain but it was later revealed that there was a small labrum tear.

Andujar missing the entire season will be a major blow for the Yankees as he was their best hitter in 2018. He was runner-up for the AL Rookie of the Year and hit .297/.328/.527 with 27 home runs in 149 games. The MLB powerhouse is likely to enter the trade market and pick up a replacement if there is no progress with his injury in the next two weeks.

The Yankees are fearing the worst at this point, but the third baseman is remaining optimistic after the physical tests came back positive. He is certain the strength in his shoulder remains and that surgery is the last option.

“It’s tough, but at the same time I’m optimistic because my shoulder is strong,” Andujar said through an interpreter Tuesday, as quoted by the New York Post. “When they did the physical test on my shoulder, it came back with really good results. My strength is there. The probability of me working through this and getting back on the field is there.”

Dr. Alexis Colvin, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon, said the severity of the labrum tear will decide the next course of action. The Yankees have specified it was a small tear and Colvin feels that it is possible for Andujar to return to action with just rest and rehabilitation rather than going under the knife.

“Small is the key word here,” Colvin said. “There’s not a lot of information to go from. I don’t think it’s out of the question for them to say let’s see how he feels in the next couple of weeks.”

The Yankees will also be buoyed by Andujar’s approach to dealing with what could be a devastating injury. The runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year is not even thinking of the prospect of having surgery as he is fully focused on getting better by resting his shoulder and undergoing physical therapy.

“You don’t want to get too ahead of yourself and start thinking about a second option or surgery and all that stuff,” Andujar said. “Like I said before, I feel strong in my shoulder. The physical tests were good, so that’s encouraging. I feel good. I feel positive. I feel that the first step is the right step, which is to do physical therapy and see where we are in a couple of weeks.”