WASHINGTON — Saying David Aardsma “didn’t really fit in,” the Yankees designated the veteran right-handed reliever for assignment after yesterday’s 4-2 exhibition win over the Nationals.
Shawn Kelley, who was claimed off waivers earlier in the spring, will make the team in the bullpen.
“We wanted more distance and he’s more of a one-inning guy, a save guy,” Joe Girardi said of Aardsma, who made it back at the end of 2012 following Tommy John surgery.
General manager Brian Cashman was impressed with Kelley.
“We like his ability,” Cashman said. “We like his strikeouts. That’s why he was acquired.”
The Yankees have 10 days to trade or release Aardsma or attempt to outright him to the minors. The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster.
“I thought I showed them some pretty good stuff,” Aardsma said. “I made it hard for them.”
* Mark Teixeira is hoping to get the cast removed from his right wrist when he visits the doctor on Monday, but admitted he won’t know what his future holds for a bit longer.
Barring any problems, he said he plans on strengthening his strained wrist for a week before picking up a bat. Then he will see if he is pain-free when he takes normal swings.
“If it’s 10 weeks and I can’t swing, I have to look at surgery,’’ Teixeira said. “If it’s still hurt, you’ve got to take care of it. But I’m not even worrying about it. My goal in eight weeks is to be on the field with the Yankees.”
Cashman is not ready to make any predictions.
“We can’t tell anything about the wrist,” Cashman said. “It’s way too early. … Those wrists are very, very tricky.”
Cashman said shortstop Derek Jeter (sore left ankle) is not expected to work out before Monday.
“Right now it’s rest and treatment,” Cashman said. “I don’t think he’s supposed to do anything till Monday at the earliest.”
Lefty reliever Boone Logan said he was fine after being hit with a liner in his left hip Thursday.
* Andy Pettitte pitched six strong innings in his final spring start. The only problem came in the third, when he was nearly hit by a flying shard of Wilson Ramos’ bat.
“I thought it was right at me,” Pettitte said. “That’s why I bailed.”
* Ben Francisco was put on the 40-man roster, along with Jayson Nix. Outfielder Melky Mesa was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. RHP Jim Miller, LHPs Vidal Nuno and Josh Spence, C Bobby Wilson, 1B Dan Johnson and OF Thomas Neal were reassigned to Triple-A. … INF David Adams was re-signed to a minor league deal.