Urshela to remain as Yankees' regular 3B

NEW YORK -- As Miguel Andújar made strides in his recovery from a right shoulder injury, Gio Urshela said that he was "not thinking about" the potential of losing his regular at-bats, since any decision would be out of his control.

Urshela doesn't have to be concerned. Manager Aaron Boone said on Tuesday that he expects Urshela to continue serving as the Yankees' regular third baseman, with Andujar getting reps as the designated hitter, except on days when it makes sense for catcher Gary Sánchez to use the DH spot.

"Right now, the way we’re constructed, it’s going to be a lot that way," Boone said. "It’s going to continue to evolve, it’s fluid. Miggy will be out there at some point this week. Gio has very much worked his way into the mix, especially the way our roster sits right now."

Urshela has played well on both sides of the ball, including reaching base in 17 of 32 plate appearances (.531 OBP) entering play on Tuesday.

Boone said that he became aware of Urshela's potential when the Yankees purchased his rights from the Blue Jays last August, but the 27-year-old has exceeded all expectations.

"He’s been terrific," Boone said. "The defense has been great and the at-bats that he’s had since Day 1 of Spring Training when he’s been in the lineup, he’s been a threat at the plate. It’s been impactful and been one of those performances that has allowed us to continue to win games."

Making room

The Yankees optioned infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Tuesday's 5-4 walk-off victory over the Mariners, creating space on the active roster for right-hander Jonathan Loáisiga, who will be promoted to start against Seattle on Wednesday.

Wade batted .204 (10-for-49) with five RBIs, seven walks and 18 strikeouts in 20 games. The move represents a vote of confidence for infielder/outfielder Thairo Estrada, whom Boone recently referred to as one of his biggest surprises of the season to date.

Think pink

Orisel Bejaran has been named as the Yankees' 2019 Honorary Bat Girl, in support of Major League Baseball's annual “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer” initiative. The Washington Heights, N.Y., resident will be honored on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

Bejaran is a lifelong Yankees fan and breast cancer survivor, who was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer last year at age 31. She immediately went to NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, meeting with Drs. Lisa Wiechmann and Melissa Accordino.

Unfortunately, Bejaran is not the first member of her family to battle cancer, as her mom and three aunts are also survivors. "Ori" has said that watching her Yankees play -- whether at the Stadium or on TV -- brought comfort and joy, believing that helped her beat cancer in only six months.

Talkin' softball

CC Sabathia is scheduled to host his second Celebrity Softball Game on May 16 at Yankee Stadium, with all proceeds to benefit his PitCCh In Foundation and the New York Yankees Foundation.

"Last year, we had some good success; some good celebrities turned out," Sabathia said. "I'm looking forward to doing that again and having it be a lot of fun. Just having the fans see the players in a different light; you get to see us run around the field and hang out and have fun. It's just a good time for everybody to kick back and cut loose."

Confirmed attendees include Andruw Jones, Tiki Barber, Gary and Deleon Sheffield, Tracy McGrady, Fat Joe, Action Bronson, Sharlee Jeter and Dascha Polanco. Also in attendance will be Didi Gregorius' mother, Sheritsa Stroop, who once starred for the Dutch national softball team.

Tickets are available at www.yankees.com/ccsoftball.

This date in Yankees history

May 7, 1999: Two Japanese-born starting pitchers faced each other for the first time in Major League history, as the Yankees' Hideki Irabu countered the Mariners' Mac Suzuki. Both hurlers carried a shutout into the fifth inning before the Yankees scored three times, en route to a 10-1 victory.