Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes has upper back stiffness and will be sidelined for a few days.
“There’s always a little bit of concern, but it’s upper back by his shoulder blades, so we’ll see how he is in a couple days,” manager Joe Girardi said Tuesday. “You’re usually more concerned about the lower (back problem) lingering. The good thing is he was ahead of where he’d probably normally be at this time, which helps.”
Hughes was hurt Monday during a defensive drill covering first base.
Closer Mariano Rivera threw 36 pitches during his third bullpen session, and is ready to face batters for the first time since May.
“I think the next one’s going to be BP,” the 43-year-old right-hander said.
Baseball’s career saves leader was hurt while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City in May and had surgery June 12 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
JONES’ 10 TO BE RETIRED
The Atlanta Braves will retire Chipper Jones’ No. 10 and induct him into the team’s hall of fame before their game June 28 against Arizona.
Jones spent his entire two-decade career with the Braves before retiring after last season. He won the National League MVP in 1999, claimed the league batting title in 2008, and was an eight-time All Star.
No. 10 will be 10th number retired by the Braves.
SHORT HOPS
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has a mild side strain, suffered while throwing live batting practice Sunday, and he’s expected to miss a week. … The Pirates and manager Clint Hurdle, in the final season of a three-year deal, officially agreed to a contract extension that runs through at least the end of the 2014 season. Terms were not disclosed but the deal includes a club option for 2015. … For the first time since arbitration began in 1974, none of the 133 players who filed wound up arguing their cases.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.