By WFAN.com
Aaron Boone held his first news conference of spring training Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, and gave some insight into how things might shape up for the Yankees before Opening Day.
Here are five things that stood out:
1. Miguel Andujar is entrenched at third base.
Boone indicated there should be no ambiguity about which position Andujar is playing. The second-year player is sticking at third base.
Andujar enjoyed a great rookie season at the plate (.297 average, 27 home runs, 92 RBIs), but was considered a defensive liability at third base, often being replaced late in playoff games. There had been some speculation that Andujar could be moved to first base to help cover up his defensive shortcomings.
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Boone said it is possible Andujar will be worked out some at first base this spring just to increase the team's versatility -- something that might also be done with catchers Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine -- but the Yanks' skipper doesn't envision that being a regular role for him.
"His game work will be, I'll say now, pretty much entirely third base," Boone said. "And I feel like he's in a really good place defensively. I think he's another guy who's had a great winter, another guy that's, I think, in really good shape."2. Jacoby Ellsbury will miss the start of camp.
Boone announced that outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury won't be with the Yankees at the start of camp due to plantar fasciitis.
Ellsbury missed all of last season with a hip injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left hip to repair a torn labrum.
3. Boone says Sanchez is poised for a bounce-back year.
Boone sounded optimistic about Sanchez, the star catcher who had a miserable 2018. The manager said he thinks the fact that Sanchez, who had offseason shoulder surgery, is healthy could make a big difference.
"He's doing really well," said Boone, who visited Sanchez in the Dominican Republic during the offseason. "His body's in really good shape. I think he's going to have a great year for us on both sides of the ball. I'm really excited about his frame of mind right now, and we're counting on and expecting him to go out and be a great player for us.
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"I just think he's just a year more mature. I think going through some of the things he went through last year ... bumps in the road, struggles, especially as a young player, can be great things in the grand scheme of things for a career, especially when you're as talented as a guy like Gary. And there's no question that I think the things he went through last year physically I think will benefit him going forward."
4. Luke Voit enters the spring leading the first-base competition.
Voit and Greg Bird are entering spring training in an open competition for the starting first-base job. Boone said Voit, who hit .333 with 14 homers in 39 games after being acquired in a trade with the Cardinals, has a "leg up" in the competition, but that doesn't mean Bird should be counted out.
Bird, 26, has struggled to live up to expectations so far in the majors, but Boone said his opinion of Bird and his potential did not change last year "even at the lowest points." He added that Bird appears to be in better shape now than he was at the start of spring training last season, which might have contributed to his subpar play.
5. Didi Gregorius is progressing nicely.
Boone said he is hopeful Gregorius will play "a significant amount of the season for us" at shortstop after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The timeline the Yankees have given for the shortstop's return ranges anywhere from June to August. Boone said he appears to be "at least on that pace" so far.
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"He's doing really well," Boone said. "His last doctor's checkup was last week or 10 days ago in New York, where he was cleared to start his throwing program. He still won't hit, at least with two hands ... I think for three or four more works, but he's doing really well. He's listening to the progression and being smart about it, but he also in his mind and knowing who he is, he's like 'let's go, I want to get this thing going.'"
The Yankees signed Troy Tulowitzki to fill in for Gregorius until he returns.
