Pittsburgh Pirates DFA Former Rookie Of The Year Runner-Up

With the official return of Andrew McCutcheon, the Pittsburgh Pirates had to make room on the 40-man roster, and with that, former New York Yankees Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andujar has been designated for assignment. 

The Pirates have DFA’d Miguel Andujar to make room for Andrew McCutchen.

— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) January 20, 2023

The Yankees DFA'd Andujar last September, and the Pirates had picked him up off waivers. He got into nine games in the City of Bridges, batting .250 with three doubles and a triple among his nine hits. He played left field and DH.

Andujar's major league career got off to a gangbusters start, as he came up to the Bronx in 2018 as a much- ballyhooed prospect, and went on to finish 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting after batting .297 with an .855 OPS, 27 HR and 92 RBIs. 

He was never able to recapture that success, however, as injuries and poor performance derailed his major league career.  In fits and starts over four subsequent seasons, he hit just eight total home runs. He's increased his versatility, however, moving from strictly a third baseman to playing 67 games in the outfield over the past three years. 

We'll learn within a week if the Pirates are able to work out a trade for Andujar, or if he'll clear waivers and become a free agent. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports