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 in Tampa, Fla., after the Yankees lost, 8-2, to the Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic team.
“It’s a tough loss,” Cashman said.
Teixeira was hurt swinging a bat Tuesday in an indoor cage during pregame warm-ups 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, said 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.”
Internal options at first include Dan Johnson. Cashman ruled out having designated hitter Travis Hafner play 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.”
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 intensive defensive drills 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.
ROYALS STAY UNBEATEN
On the day the Mariners’ 10-game winning streak was snapped by the Brewers, the Kansas City Royals moved their unbeaten string to 11 with an 8-1 victory over Arizona in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Alex Gordon hit a grand slam, doubled and scored twice, and James Shields pitched three scoreless innings for the Royals (11-0 in Cactus League).
SHORT HOPS
The Phillies’ Roy Halladay outpitched Stephen Strasburg, 6-3, in a marquee matchup in Clearwater, Fla., that became a bit testy after Washington’s Strasburg hit Chase Utley in the lower left leg with a third-inning pitch, and Halladay threw a pitch behind Tyler Moore in the fourth. The Nationals won their first National League title last season, ending Philadelphia’s five-year run atop the division. … The Royals’ Eric Hosmer was summoned by the U.S. team to replace the injured Mark Teixeira in the World Baseball Classic. … The Cardinals hired former great Willie McGee, 54, as a special assistant to the general manager focusing on the minor leagues. … Former Mariners pitcher Derek Lowe and the Rangers have reached agreement on a minor league deal.
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