Mark Teixeira: My Goal Is To Rejoin Yankees On May 1
WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira hopes to get the protective brace on his injured right wrist removed Monday.
Speaking before New York's exhibition game at the Washington Nationals on Friday, Teixeira said his goal is to rejoin the Yankees as soon as May 1.
Mark Teixeira
"Like a pitcher coming back from Tommy John (elbow surgery), throwing through pain isn't a good idea," Teixeira said. "So I just have to be smart with it."
He has been taking grounders since last weekend and practice swings with one hand on his bat.
"My plan is to not skip a beat when I come back," Teixeira said.
Mark Teixeira
General manager Brian Cashman said "it's way too early" to know much about how Teixeira's wrist is healing.
"But I know one thing: He's busting his tail," Cashman said. "He's doing leg stuff, he's doing all these different stuff, so every aspect of his body other than the wrist can be better."
Teixeira batted .251 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs in 123 games for the Bronx Bombers last season.
Cashman also said shortstop Derek Jeter, still recovering from left ankle surgery in October, needs some time for "rest and treatment."
"I know he isn't supposed to do anything until Monday at the earliest," Cashman said. "Get the soreness out and back off. Take the two steps back so he can take a giant step forward."
Like Teixeira, Jeter will begin the season on the DL. April 6 is the earliest Jeter could be activated.
After the game, first baseman Lyle Overbay told reporters he'd been informed he'll be added to the 25-man roster Saturday. In other roster news, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said infielder Jayson Nix, outfielder Ben Francisco and right-hander Shawn Kelley have made the team, while right-hander David Aardsma has been designated for assignment.
Do you think there's any chance that Teixeira returns by May 1? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
