Newly acquired Yankees outfielder Andrew Benintendi is addressing his vaccination status since being traded from the Kansas City Royals to New York.

Benintendi spoke with the media on Thursday to address the matter for the first time; when asked whether or not he was planning on getting vaccinated, Benintendi revealed he has still not received the vaccine. Benintendi said: “I’m still positioned in the same spot. I’m open-minded about it. I’m not against it, but time will tell.” Benintendi added that his vaccination against COVID-19 was not something that he had to agree to prior to being traded.

Prior to his trade to the Yankees, many questioned whether Benintendi’s decision to not be vaccinated against COVID-19 would impact his value on the open market. Benintendi’s vaccination status became known when he was unable to play in Kansas City’s series in Toronto earlier this month.  However, the Yankees did not hesitate to pursue the Royals star outfielder.

Benintendi is having an exceptional year, hitting a career-best .320 with three home runs and 39 RBI in 93 games. He was selected to his first-career All-Star game earlier this month. Benintendi joins the best team in baseball, as the Yankees look to win their first World Series since 2009.

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