YANKEES 101

 

As the New York Yankees continue to battle the injury bug this spring, another one of its integral pieces has now been affected by the aforementioned bug.

Add first baseman Mark Teixeira to the list that includes center-fielder Curtis Granderson and starting pitcher Phil Hughes. The 32-year-old, who was slated to man first base for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, was taking batting practice with his United States teammates as they prepared for their opening exhibition with the Chicago White Sox. However, after only taking a few cuts, Teixeira had to pull out of the batting cage,

“He had gone into the cage to hit off the tee. I think he took about three or four, just light swings as he was starting to get loose,’’ US manager Joe Torre said. ‘‘It was just a freak thing.’’

Needless to say, Teixeira will not only miss the World Baseball Classic, but according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, will also miss seven to 10 days with what's being labeled a strained right wrist.

As per David Waldstein of The New York Times, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who's battling an injury bug of his own, confirms Teixeira will head up to New York to visit a hand specialist, and obviously, there is reason for concern,

“I’m obviously worried about it,” Cashman said, “because wrists are very unpredictable. Even if you can get a positive diagnosis back, which of course we hope for, that still doesn’t mean you are out of the woods because wrists are tricky. They are hard to get a handle on. So I’m concerned about it.”

For the time being, veterans Dan Johnson and Juan Rivera, both battling for spots on the Yankees big club, should see extended reps at first base. Moreover, third baseman Kevin Youkilis has extensive experience at first base, however, he will most likely be a full-time third baseman with the expected long-term absence of incumbent Alex Rodriguez.

 

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Tags: Baseball, Brian Cashman, Curtis Granderson, Dan Johnson, Joe Torre, Juan Rivera, Kevin Youkilis, Mark Teixeira, MLB, New York, New York Yankees, Phil Hughes, World Baseball Classic

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