Andújar's OF development; Sevy's start

NEW YORK -- When the Yankees approached Miguel Andújar two winters ago to suggest that practicing on fly balls could increase his chances of cracking the big league roster, he surprised manager Aaron Boone by presenting a freshly broken-in outfielder’s glove.

As he did that day, Andújar is embracing the outfield as an avenue to log regular at-bats. It has been a work in progress for the converted third baseman -- Andújar struggled with a deep fly ball on Saturday that likely should have been caught -- but overall he is pleased by how far he has come.

“I’m a player, and I’m here for the team,” Andújar said through an interpreter. “It doesn’t matter; when the team needs me at third [base], first, outfield, wherever, I’m going to be ready to play. Wherever they need me to play, I’m going to be fine with.”

A more consistent schedule of playing time seems to be agreeing with Andújar, who entered Sunday having hit three homers in his last five games after going homerless in his first 18 games of the season. Since May 14, Andújar is batting .284 (19-for-67).

“Physically and mentally, I feel very good,” Andújar said. “Right now, I'm getting more of an opportunity to play on a daily basis. I believe in myself. I think that if I keep playing and doing the work that I need to do, I should be able to keep getting the results I've been getting.”

The defensive play in the sixth inning on Saturday presented a learning experience for Andújar, tracking a high Xander Bogaerts fly ball that pitcher Jameson Taillon initially believed would be a home run. Statcast pegged the drive as having a 95 percent catch probability, falling on the warning track for a double that preceded a Rafael Devers two-run single.

“It’s one of those things that, the more reps I get out there, the more I’m going to get better and more familiar with plays like that near the wall,” Andújar said.

Sevy season
Luis Severino impressed in his first Minor League rehab start for Low-A Tampa on Sunday, allowing a run on two hits over 2 2/3 innings against Lakeland. The right-hander averaged 96-98 mph with his fastball, striking out three with a walk over a 34-pitch outing that featured 11 sliders.

“My understanding is he threw the ball really well,” Boone said. “He went out for a third inning just because his pitch count was so low. What I've seen in his live batting-practice sessions leading up to this has been really good. I know he feels really well, so we continue to be encouraged.”

Severino’s next start is expected to come with one of the Yankees’ affiliates in the Northeast. Boone suggested it might be with High-A Hudson Valley or Double-A Somerset.

Stanton on the side
Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton was held out of the Yankees’ lineup for Sunday’s series finale by manager Aaron Boone, who said that the decision was equal parts performance and health-related, providing an additional day of rest with Monday’s off-day.

Stanton is 2-for-23 (.087) with 11 strikeouts since returning from a stint on the injured list for a strained left quadriceps. Boone said that Stanton is still dealing with residual effects of the quad injury.

“I really am encouraged by the direction he's moving,” Boone said. “We want to get him there and that's taken a little bit. We don't want to take steps backwards either. We know how important he is, and we'll just kind of grind through this with him. Hopefully we’ll get past this pretty soon.”

He said it
“We're here to perform. I think guys need to feel a little sense of urgency and know how talented we are. Everybody is trying their hardest.” -- Yankees pitcher Jordan Montgomery

This date in Yankees history
June 6, 1944: With the Liberation of Europe underway, U.S. Navy Seaman Second Class Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra -- age 19 -- manned a small landing craft missile support boat off the coast of Normandy. Berra earned a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Unit Citation, two battle stars and a European Theatre of Operations ribbon during World War II.