SAN FRANCISCO — There is a chance Miguel Andujar could be back at third base for the Yankees when they return home.
Andujar played five innings at third base in an extended spring training game in Tampa on Friday. He went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk. He did limited throwing because of a lack of chances.
“He did all of his pregame defensive work and it sounds like he did well with that,’’ Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 7-3 win over the Giants Friday night at Oracle Park. “He will DH [Saturday], Sunday is an off day and Monday the [Single-A Tampa] Tarpons are off so he will probably play another extended game on Monday. If that goes well he will play with Tampa. If it continues to go well there is a chance he could be back with us next week.’’
Considering there was a possibility Andujar would require surgery to repair a tear in his right shoulder labrum he suffered when diving back into third on March 31, that would be a big boost to a roster that has 13 names on the injured list.
“I would say I still remain cautiously optimistic. We will see how these next several days unfold,’’ Boone said. “How he feels if he can handle the workload defensively and get [the ball] across the diamond. The bat seems like no issue at all.’’
Though the Yankees will gladly welcome Andujar back when healthy, DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela have played well filling in at third base.
LeMahieu fouled a ball off the right knee in the fifth inning Friday night but remained in the game and finished 3-for-5 and scored three runs. But afterward he was hobbling around the clubhouse with ice on the leg. And when he took the ice off he was moving with a noticeable limp.
Troy Tulowitzki played in a simulated game Friday in Tampa.
After an inconsistent 2018 season in which he had a 6.56 ERA in 24 games and pitched in 26 minor league games, Tommy Kahnle has not allowed a hit or a run in 10 of his 11 appearances this year and has retired 18 of the last 19 batters he faced.
The Giants acknowledged CC Sabathia’s outstanding career after the home fourth Friday night with a rundown of his highlights to go with a video presentation of the Vallejo, Calif., native. Sabathia is retiring after the season.
From the first base dugout, Sabathia acknowledged a standing ovation by waiving his cap.