If Kevin Youkilis’ bothersome back does not allow him to play today against Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ, there is a very good chance he lands on the disabled list.
“It’s been a week now, so I think you look and see where he is [today] and then you make a decision what you are going to do and when you are going to get [him] back,” manager Joe Girardi said before last night’s injury-riddled 6-4 win.
Youkilis came out of last Saturday’s game in Toronto because of lower back tightness and has not played since.
Youkilis’ stint on the DL could be retroactive to Sunday. A player can’t be back-dated more than 10 days.
Because David Adams and Gil Velazquez are candidates to be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if Youkilis is put on the DL, the Yankees likely to try to avoid the move. Adams and Velazquez are not on the 40-man roster.
Youkilis has not undergone tests to determine whether the problem is more than muscular.
“They don’t think it’s an issue where we need a test,” Girardi said of the medical staff. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed for [today].”
Youkilis, who said he landed on the DL last year with a similar problem because he didn’t give his back enough time to heal, said he hopes to avoid the DL.
“If I’m ready to play in one to two days, I won’t have to go on the disabled list,’’ he said. “I’m not too concerned about it. Think I’ll be good. I made strides. Sometimes it’s just about doing less.I’m probably my own worst enemy a lot of times. I try to push it a little too much and next thing you know… it’s just a step back.“My [sacroiliac] joint locked up before, and now it’s loose and fine but there’s some soft tissue that’s tightened up and we’re slowly getting that out.’’
Last Saturday, Youkilis said he could play Sunday. He is in that mode again.
“Hopefully [today]. We’ve made some good strides. It’s not my first time going through it,’’ Youkilis said. “Last year, I got put on the DL for it, but I’ve tried probably to do too much and take BP rather than sit out and do nothing for a couple days.’’
* David Phelps’ nine strikeouts in four innings of relief were a career high and the most by a Yankees reliever since Jay Howell whiffed nine in 4 2/3 innings in 1983.
* Lyle Overbay’s RBI triple in the fourth inning halted an 0-for-16 slide. … Brett Gardner homered in the eighth inning, giving the Yankees homers in nine of their 11 home games. … Mariano Rivera has converted his last 31 save chances at the Stadium going back to the start of the 2011 season.
* Girardi moved Jayson Nix from ninth to second in the order.
“Nix has been swinging the bat pretty good,’’ Girardi said of the utility infielder, who entered on a 7-for-15 tear. “Move up the order today and go from there.’’
Nix went 0-for-3 and drew two walks.
* Mark Teixeira said he believes his right wrist is healing.
“Feel a little better every day, but we’ve taken it this far, you don’t want to rush it now,’’ said Teixeira, who is still limited to dry swings and taking ground balls. “They want me here until I play games.’’
Teixeira’s next step is participating in tee and toss drills.
“Once that happens, it’ll be pretty quick,’’ Teixeira said.
* Chien-Ming Wang has made two starts at Triple-A, but it is far too early to believe the 33-year-old right-hander is on the move toward the big leagues.
“He is here for depth,’’ Girardi said of the former Yankees ace.
If Wang shows progress, especially with fastball velocity, there is a chance he could get a fill-in start eventually.