Might the Braves take a shot on Miguel Andújar?

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In some breaking news, the Pirates have designated Miguel Andújar for assignment.

Five years ago, Miguel Andújar looked like he was on his way to becoming a critical piece of what the Yankees were building. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2018, hitting .297 with 27 homers and 47 doubles — good for an .855 OPS.

Unfortunately, Andújar never replicated those numbers again, in large part due to injuries. He missed nearly all of 2019 with a shoulder injury and only played in 21 games during the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign before missing most of 2021 with a wrist injury. By 2022, he was an afterthought. The Yankees kept him around, but late in the season, he was designated for assignment and claimed by the Pirates.

Pittsburgh signed Andújar to a one-year contract in November, but he won’t be playing there this year after being designated for assignment. Andújar is looking for a new home, and the Braves might want to take a flier on him. Few organizations have been better at resurrecting players’ careers, particularly offensively, and Andújar is a career .272 hitter with a .749 OPS, even if most of that success came during his rookie season.

The Braves need some help on the bench. Andújar could serve as a reserve that can play third base or left field. Given the way the Braves have approached this offseason, signing him to a minor-league contract with an invite to Spring Training makes sense. If it doesn’t work out, cut ties, but if they figure something out, he could be a fantastic addition to the rotation out in left field.

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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire

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