The unvaccinated Andrew Benintendi refuses to say if he’ll get a COVID shot after joining the Yankees … but his new team takes on the Blue Jays for a three-game series in Toronto in September, and he’ll be without his Shots not allowed
- Andrew Benintendi missed Royals games in Canada due to his vaccination status
- Now his new team, the Yankees, are traveling to Canada for three games in September
- Benintendi said he was “open-minded” about taking a vaccine for Covid-19
Andrew Benintendi wouldn’t say if he’ll get vaccinated against COVID-19 now, as he’s more likely to be first-ranked with the New York Yankees than last-ranked with the Kansas City Royals.
A day after New York acquired the 28-year-old All-Star from the Royals for three minor league pitchers, Benintendi went 0-4 in his Yankees debut with a strikeout, a 1-0 win over his former team on Thursday evening. Benintendi scored leadoff and played on left field.
He was among 10 royals to miss a four-game series in Toronto from July 14-17 because he was unvaccinated and unable to travel to Canada. He lost $186,813 of the $8.5 million salary.
Andrew Benintendi declined to say if he will be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Yankees
Previously, Benintendi missed the Kansas City Royals games in Canada because he was not stung
The Yankees have a three-game streak September 26-28 in Toronto.
“Right now, you know, I’m still in the same place. I’m open-minded about that,” said Benintendi. “I’m not against it, but time will tell as we get closer, but right now my focus is just getting here, getting comfortable, getting to know the guys and winning baseball games.”
Benintendi had not yet discussed the issue with his new team.
“We’re going to cross that bridge if and when we have to, but I haven’t had that conversation,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Benintendi scored a 4-0 win with a strikeout in his Yankees debut, a 1-0 win over his former team
Benintendi had arrived in New York with the Royals and was in his hotel room when Royals manager Mike Matheny told him about the trade around 11pm on Wednesday night.
“It’s a strange situation,” said Benintendi. “Obviously I laced it up with them yesterday and now I’m going up against them today.”
Aaron Judge hit a walk-off homer in the ninth inning as the Yankees beat the Royals.