TAMPA, Fla. — Mark Teixeira will to be out at least until early May with a strained right wrist tendon, the latest major injury setback for the New York Yankees.
New York general manager Brian Cashman gave the news Wednesday after the Yankees’ were beat 8-2 by the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team on Wednesday.
“It’s a tough loss,” Cashman said.
Teixeira was hurt swinging a bat Tuesday in an indoor cage during pregame warmups with the U.S. WBC team. Initially, Teixeira was expected to be out eight to 10 days, but he was examined by Yankees doctors in New York on Wednesday and a prognosis of eight to 10 weeks was given.
Cashman, who broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in a skydiving accident Monday, says Teixeira will rest for four weeks before beginning rehabilitation. Teixeira will remain in New York, and not rejoin the team in Florida, to start his recovery program.
Cashman does not seem inclined to move Kevin Youkilis from third to first. Youkilis was signed in December to fill in for third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who will be out until at least the All-Star break after left hip surgery in January.
“Third base is very difficult,” Cashman said. “First is always easier to fill than third.”
Internal options at first include Dan Johnson. Cashman ruled out having designated hitter Travis Hafner playing in the field.
“We’ve got three or more weeks to go with what we have here, as well as evaluating what’s elsewhere,” Cashman said. “So, we’ll just wait and see.”
Cashman noted that this is normally not the time of year that big trades are made.
It’s the second major injury for the Yankees during spring training this year. Outfielder Curtis Granderson broke his right forearm when he was hit by a pitch Feb. 24. He will also be sidelined until early May.
“People get hurt … get hurt on our team, people get hurt on other teams,” Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. “The good teams find ways to get it done, and that’s what you’re going to have to do.”
Jeter is making progress toward playing in his first game since offseason ankle surgery. Although he has not run the bases full speed yet, Jeter went through an intensive defensive session Wednesday.
“I’m getting close,” Jeter said. “I’m headed in the right direction. My ankle feels good. I’ll be in there as soon as I can play. Whenever I’m able to do it, I’ll do it.”
Jeter expects to be ready for the regular-season opener April 1 against Boston.
“I’m not worried about Derek Jeter at all,” Cashman said. “He’ll be ready when it counts. He’s the least of our concerns.”
Granderson has been cleared to increase his workouts and is set to start riding a stationary bike. Granderson said the team medical staff was happy with follow-up X-rays taken on Tuesday.
Right-hander Phil Hughes made 25 throws at both 60 and 90 feet during his third level ground throwing session after being sidelined two weeks by an upper back bulging disk. He is scheduled to make 10 pitches in his first mound session Saturday, and have a 25-pitch bullpen outing Sunday or Monday.
Hughes’ status for opening day remains undetermined.
Reliever David Robertson, scratched from his outing Tuesday night due to an achy shoulder, will not make a two-day road trip Thursday and Friday. Left-hander Boone Logan, slowed by a tender elbow, expects to pay catch Thursday and throw off a mound this weekend.
CC Sabathia, the expected opening-day starter, and closer Mariano Rivera, have both been taking part in simulated games.
Sabathia, who had offseason left elbow bone spur surgery, is scheduled for another sim game Sunday. Rivera, coming back from knee surgery, could pitch in his first game Saturday.
Cashman said Rivera has returned home for a personal matter, and will rejoin the team Saturday.
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