Since the Yankees are down in Tampa for a three-game series, it’s a good idea to check in on some of the players who are injured and working on returning to the field. Here are some injury news and notes:
Kevin Youkilis (stiff back): Youkilis was taken out of Saturday’s game early with back stiffness. Although he said he could pinch hit on Sunday, manager Joe Girardi decided to give him a full day off. Youk was in the lineup up until 6 p.m. yesterday when his back tightened again. He was scratched and listed as day-to-day. Girardi said it may take a few days for Youkilis to get himself back into a game, according to beat writer Bryan Hoch. “It is what it is, and we’ll get through it,” Girardi said.
Mark Teixeira (strained wrist): Teix had hoped to be back by May 1, however that doesn’t seem to be a possibility. He hasn’t had any setbacks, but he is taking things slowly with his injured wrist, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. Teixeira was originally going to stay behind in Tampa to progress in his rehab, but he will most likely head north with the team after the series with the Rays is over. He is yet to be cleared for soft-toss or tee-drills. However, he is taking some dry swings. “We’re taking it slow,” Teixeira said.
Curtis Granderson (broken forearm): Yesterday, Granderson began soft-toss and hitting off a tee, according to Chad Jennings of LoHud.com via twitter. He has been throwing from a maximum of 90 feet. The Yankees have not put a timetable on his return to rehab games. However, Granderson said he does not need much time to get himself ready to join the big league club. Look for Granderson to return before Teixeira.
Michael Pineda (shoulder surgery): Pineda threw his first simulated game yesterday, albeit one inning – according to Hoch on twitter. Pineda threw his fastball, slider and changeup in the session. Girardi was quoted as saying “I was happy with what I saw.” The Yankees are hoping to get Pineda back sometime in June. If he is healthy and can return to what he was before he was injured, he would provide a huge boost to a rotation that is struggling in the back end in Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova.
Derek Jeter will rest and be inactive for a few weeks after he received news that he has a small crack in his previously injured ankle. The best case scenario would be to see him back in the Bronx in July. Alex Rodriguez continues his rehab on his surgically repaired left hip. There is no timetable for his return, but July seems to be a target date.
