Yankees’ Drury making strides despite DL stint | Lucas

He may not be on the Yankees roster right now, but Brandon Drury is making great strides towards becoming what the team expected him to be when they traded for him in February. Two weeks ago, I spoke briefly with Drury as he made his return to the big leagues after nearly three months on the disabled list, and…

He may not be on the Yankees roster right now, but Brandon Drury is making great strides towards becoming what the team expected him to be when they traded for him in February.

Two weeks ago, I spoke briefly with Drury as he made his return to the big leagues after nearly three months on the disabled list, and in the minor leagues, due to blurred vision and migraines.

Just like any other athlete, Drury was under pressure as soon as he came to New York. The Yankees traded away pitching prospect Taylor Widener and minor league infielder Nick Solak to the Diamondbacks and Rays, respectively, as part of a three-team deal, in order to acquire Drury. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made the trade in order to fill a major hole at third base left by both Todd Frazier and Chase Headley.

However, after just eight regular season games in pinstripes, Drury took to the disabled list. Since then, Miguel Andujar has developed sooner than expected, and is playing well both at third base and in the batter’s box, and is a highly regarded candidate for the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award. The Yankees entered yesterday with a record of 60-31, third best in baseball, and 3 ½ games behind the Boston Red Sox for first place in the American League East, while still holding a three game lead for the first Wild Card spot.

Drury no longer faces pressure from the media to succeed, but both the Yankees organization and he expect more of him.

While talking to a multitude of reporters on June 30, the day of his return, Drury repeatedly used the phrase “get right,” signifying that the goal of his return to the MLB is to get back on track. He also said that he wishes to “prove I do not belong (in Triple A).” I could sense his anxiety to return to Yankee Stadium, especially when he told me that he would watch the team’s games every day while he was at Scranton. After the crowd cleared, Drury told me that his head feels fine, and that his stint in the minor leagues was “worth it” if it means he can return to normal.

Like Greg Bird did with me earlier that day, he remained positive and took full responsibility for his condition. Drury said that he will not feel sorry for himself simply because he missed time, marking the attitude of a ballplayer ready to get back into a major league lineup. Obviously, Andujar’s play should keep him where he is, barring injury, so a conscious Drury noted that he has been working out at first base, and that is where he would prefer to be, although he also told me that his ideal spot is “in the (Yankees) lineup.” Considering Bird’s offensive struggles prior to the Red Sox and Orioles series, it is possible that he ends up there at some point.

On Monday, with the Yankees in Baltimore for a doubleheader, team management made the difficult decision to send Drury back to Triple A Scranton in order to have Luis Cessa start the second game. Yet, as Brandon Drury quickly departed our interview in order to take practice grounders, I could sense his great desire to return, and a will to keep moving.