WASHINGTON -- Brandon Drury told the Yankees that he was able to hit a home run this season off the Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman despite not being able to see the pitch clearly, affected by ongoing migraines and blurred vision -- a stunning revelation that prompted a weeks-long search for answers.
Now that the Yankees believe they have identified the issue -- a nerve between the back of Drury's head and neck -- and established a plan to manage it, general manager Brian Cashman said that Drury is physically ready to play third base in the big leagues again. Problem is, Miguel Andujar is already handling that job.
Drury's issues have calmed to the point where the Yankees would feel comfortable reinstating him to their roster, but with his 20-day rehab window expiring, Cashman said the club decided instead to option him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday.
Cashman spoke with Drury during a conference call on Monday, explaining the reasoning behind the move.
"He's a professional," Cashman said. "He's ready to help us at any time. I know he's doing so much better today than for years, what he's been going through. It feels like we've unlocked it. He's made great progress. He's anxious to come back and help us. He's a Major Leaguer right now, but because of the unique circumstances of where we're currently at with this roster, we had a choice to make."
On the disabled list since April 7, Drury has batted .315/.433/.481 in 17 games for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A. Cashman said that Drury is seeing benefits from his ongoing treatment with Dr. Gil Chimes, the club's consulting sports medicine chiropractor, work that has included acupuncture and electrotherapy.
The Yankees permitted Drury to remain in New York, scheduling another visit with Chimes before he rejoins the RailRiders this week, where he will continue to play third base regularly.
"We feel like he's doing really well," manager Aaron Boone said. "I actually spoke to him today. It was a baseball decision, but we also feel like there's still room for him to continue to improve. He's absolutely an option for us right now. We would have no hesitation bringing him up."
Meanwhile, Andujar was hitting .282/.296/.458 with 12 doubles, a triple, three homers and 14 RBIs in 33 games entering play on Tuesday.
"Miggy just got here. He's going to have to prove himself every day," Cashman said. "He's doing a nice job. We're happy with what we've seen, we're proud of the player he's becoming. We also acquired Brandon Drury because we believed in his abilities, too, and his upside. When you're down there, you're fighting to get up here, and when you're up here, you're fighting to continue to prove that you belong."
In addition, the rehab assignments for first baseman Greg Bird and outfielder Billy McKinney were transferred to Trenton on Monday. Both players are expected to remain with the Thunder through their current homestand, which runs through Sunday.
"It's all good. So far it's going as planned," Cashman said. "Obviously, we're looking forward to getting even healthier."