Miguel Andujar hopes to bounce back from 'business' move, win spot on Pirates' roster

Perhaps the only person affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates who wasn’t happy about the news of Andrew McCutchen’s return was Miguel Andujar, if only because it came at his own expense.

When the Pirates signed McCutchen in January, they designated Andujar for assignment. It was a calculated risk by general manager Ben Cherington, hoping no team would claim Andujar and the one-year, $1.525 million contract he signed last fall to avoid arbitration.

After clearing waivers, Andujar arrived at spring training in hopes of finding his way back onto the Pirates’ 40-man roster.

“I was surprised, but that’s the business,” Andujar said. “I’m happy to be here at spring training. I’ve got a chance to play back in the big leagues again.”

Andujar, who turned 28 on March 2, made a positive impression on the Pirates after being claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees on Sept. 25. In nine games, five as designated hitter and four in left field, he batted .250 (9 for 36) with three doubles, a triple and nine RBIs.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Andujar is in competition for a spot on the Opening Day roster after showing the ability to swing the bat and play not only both corner outfield spots but also first base and third, where he started 144 games in six seasons for the Yankees.

“We liked that he played on the other side of the diamond, and it’s in his toolbox,” Shelton said. “We still view him as a major-league player. He got in a little bit of a roster crunch, but he’s firmly embedded in that competition in the outfield.”

It’s a competition that features 11 players on the 40-man roster, including Mark Mathias, who was acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. So the odds are stacked against Andujar, even though his guaranteed contract could figure into the decision.

If Andujar has a reputation for his hitting — and his 47 doubles, 27 home runs and 92 RBIs with an .855 OPS as a rookie in 2018 can’t be disregarded — he hasn’t shown much of it this spring. He is batting .133 (2 for 15) with a double, five strikeouts and one walk in six Grapefruit League games.

Miguel Andújar leadoff double#Pirates 0 #Yankees 6 ????3ʀᴅ pic.twitter.com/sESxYiE2HP

— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) March 7, 2023

Instead, Andujar’s biggest plays have come on defense.

On Monday night against the Yankees, after DJ LeMahieu lined one that sailed over his head, Andujar threw him out at second base. On Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, Andujar allowed James McCann a double when he misplayed a ball down the right-field line in the second inning but robbed Jorge Mateo of a home run in the third.

DJ rips one to right and is thrown out at 2nd by our old friend Miguel Andujar but appeared to be safe pic.twitter.com/bOPgeoksBp

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 6, 2023

Andujar credited an offseason focused on his defensive play in the outfield during winter ball in his native Dominican Republic.

“It was difficult when I started playing in the outfield, but right now I feel comfortable,” Andujar said. “I’m ready to do whatever the team needs from me. If they need me in the outfield, first base, whatever. My biggest thing is to play in the big leagues, no matter what. I try to do the best I can to play in the big leagues. That’s my goal.”