Miguel Andújar Hits His First Home Run at Yankee Stadium Since 2018

NEW YORK — It had been almost 1,000 days since Miguel Andújar last homered in a regular season game at Yankee Stadium.

That drought came to an end on Monday as Andújar whacked a fastball from Rays right-hander Michael Wacha over the right-field wall in the bottom of the seventh. 

It was the first homer of the season for Andújar, who's been on the receiving end of an increase in playing time this month thanks to a slew of injuries across New York's roster.

"I've been consistently getting more at-bats, that's a big difference," Andújar said Monday through the team's interpreter. "I'm seeing more of an opportunity to get in there and play the game."

With two hits on Monday—a 3-1 loss to the Rays—Andújar is now hitting .302 (16-for-53) with five runs and three RBI over his last 15 games. That stretch began after the 26-year-old began his season by going hitless in his first four appearances. 

One of the lone bright spots for New York on offense recently, manager Aaron Boone perked up when asked about Andújar's performance.  

"It was good to see him get a couple really good swings off today," Boone said. "We know what he's capable of. Maybe he can get a little bit of traction going and certainly add some length to our lineup."

It seems like an eternity ago, but Andújar is only three seasons removed from his breakout campaign in 2018, finishing second in the race for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. He finished that season hitting .297 (170-for-573) with 27 home runs, 47 doubles and 83 runs scored over 149 games played. 

His opposite-field homer off David Price of the Red Sox on Sept. 19 of that season was the last time he went yard in the Bronx prior to Monday afternoon.

Since then, entering play this season, Andújar had appeared in only 33 games due to injuries and a lack of playing time. His hard work to develop into more of a versatile defender over the last two years has been instrumental in helping Boone find more ways to get Andújar into the lineup.

The opportunity will be there for Andújar for the foreseeable future. With Aaron Hicks out for the rest of the season—moving Brett Gardner to center field—and first baseman Luke Voit set to miss several weeks, there are multiple avenues for Andújar to see the field. 

The question is, can he continue to produce at the plate?

MORE:

• Stanton Still 'Dusting Off Some Rust' After Return From Injured List
• Yankees' Severino Scheduled to Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend
• Yankees Staying Positive Despite 'Unacceptable' Sweep in Detroit

Follow Max Goodman on Twitter (@MaxTGoodman), on Facebook (also @MaxTGoodman), be sure to bookmark Inside The Pinstripes and check back daily for news, analysis and more.