New York Yankees: Gio Urshela show continues in the Bronx

Monday the New York Yankees announced third baseman Miguel Andujar is headed back to the injured list. Surprising Gio Urshela will continue to hold down the hot corner.

The old adage of “one man’s adversity is another man’s opportunity” is a staple of New York Yankees history that goes back to the beginnings of their dynasty. It started with first baseman Wally Pipp asking out of a game in 1925 only to be replaced by the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig. Fast forward to 2019 and history is repeating itself as Gio Urshela is excelling in place of injured Miguel Andujar.

Going into this season, the Yankees knew they would be without starting shortstop Didi Gregorius, for the first half of 2019 due to recovery from Tommy John surgery. GM Brian Cashman tried to fill the void in the offseason by signing some vets. Unfortunately. Andujar tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder early in the season as part of a massive string of Bronx Bombers injuries and like that the entire left side of the infield was unable to play.

One of the replacements called up from Triple-A Scranton was Gio Urshela. In early April, the 27-year-old assumed New York’s third base duties and has been nothing sort of a revelation ever since. His offense, defense, and clutch performances make him the team’s early season MVP.

So far Urshella has hit .341 in 2019. It’s not just batting for average that has Yankees management and fans going crazy for him. He has been the hero many times thus far. Just last week, he turned around three games.

Last Tuesday, his two-run homer in the ninth inning tied a game the Yankees won later in the inning. Thursday his two-out, bases loaded single, drove in a pair of runs in to beat Seattle. Friday, he had another two-run single to put the Yankees up for good over division-leading Tampa Bay in the sixth.

It’s been an interesting juxtaposition with Andujar and Urshella. Last year Andujar hit .297, with 47 doubles and 27 homers. He was a star in the Bronx Bombers return to the playoffs in 2018. Conversely, nothing in his previous major league experience over parts of three seasons would have indicated Urshela’s breakout this season. In 499 career at-bats over parts of three seasons, the Columbian put up a slash line of .225/.274/.315.

Andujar’s return to the injured list will likely be long this time. Instead of rehabbing his shoulder, surgery is the most likely option this time to repair his labrum. Now, it’s Urshela’s job and while he’s highly unlikely to become the next Gehrig, he certainly can lead the rebuilt New York Yankees to the postseason once again, and hopefully further.