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TAMPA — Less than a week after being robbed at gunpoint and assaulted at his farm in the Dominican Republic, Miguel Andujar is trying to keep his focus on baseball.
The Yankees utilityman still arrived at spring training on time Tuesday after avoiding serious injury last Wednesday despite allegedly being beaten by two individuals and robbed of a gold chain valued at around $7,000.
“Definitely a tough situation right there,” Andujar said through an interpreter. “What can you say when you go through something like that? But I’m good, I’m healthy. Thank God everything worked out well.”
Andujar said police have not yet found the individuals involved in the incident, which took place in his hometown of San Cristobal.
“They haven’t and honestly I’m focused on my job and being here,” Andujar said. “That’s the way I want to keep it.”
For Andujar, that means working out at third base (his natural position), first base and left field. The 27-year-old has started 44 career games in left field (37 last season), but just two at first base, which is where he was working Tuesday. Luke Voit and DJ LeMahieu the only other first basemen on the 40-man roster.
Andujar missed the second half of last season with a lingering wrist strain, which was the latest setback he has faced since his standout rookie season in 2018.
“I feel good and I’m here,” Andujar said. “I’m gonna let them try to figure out what kind of role I’m gonna have.”
Proving he can play multiple positions, in addition to improving offensively, will be key for Andujar as he fights for a bench role.
“He’ll get looks everywhere,” said manager Aaron Boone, who plans to play Andujar in the outfield in one of the Yankees’ first two Grapefruit League games. “I think it’s important to keep his versatility in play. … I think it’s important he keeps that flexibility, for him and for us.”
Additional reporting by Dan Martin
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