TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees rookie Miguel Andujar will start the season in the minors, rather than at third base in the majors.

The Yankees optioned Andujar to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, clearing the way for Brandon Drury to claim the spot.

The move allows the 23-year-old Andujar, who hit .262 with four homers and 10 RBI in 14 spring training games, to work on his defense in the minors.

“I think everybody got a peek at the kind of hitter we think he’s going to be,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said. “Had a long talk with him (and told him), just go down there and continue to polish, continue to get better, continue to work, and it won’t be too long before he’s up here for good.”

Drury, obtained from Arizona last month, was the front-runner for the position. He hit .267 with 13 homers and 63 RBI for Arizona last season.

RED SOX: Andrew Benintendi homered and Brian Johnson pitched four shutout innings for Boston in a 2-1 win over a Pittsburgh Pirates split squad at Bradenton, Florida.

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Adam Frazier drove in the only run for Pittsburgh’s split squad.

TWINS: Shortstop Jorge Polanco has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

The 24-year-old hit .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBI last season while starting 127 games at shortstop.

METS: Lefty Jason Vargas will have surgery Tuesday after breaking his right hand in a minor league game. No timetable was set for his return to the mound.

Vargas was injured Friday when he was hit by a line drive. The Mets signed the 35-year-old free agent on Feb. 18. He went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA for Kansas City last season.

ORIOLES: Chris Davis returned to the lineup for the first time in two weeks after injuring his right forearm and drove in run with a single in a 5-4 win over the Mets.


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