ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A very costly victory could have been much more deflating for the Yankees whose seemingly endless river of injuries continues to flow.
In the middle of a 9-4 win over the Rays in front of 17,825 at Tropicana Field last night, the Yankees lost Curtis Granderson to a fractured knuckle on the left pinkie.
Three innings later Ben Zobrist’s screaming liner connected with David Phelps’ right forearm and glanced off his chest.
Granderson, who was hit by a Cesar Ramos pitch and taken for X-rays that revealed the fracture, will be examined by the Yankees’ doctors Monday and should be told how long he will be out.
Though Joe Girardi didn’t want to get into the speculation business the manager did say: “Usually broken bones don’t heal in two weeks. I would say a minimum of four weeks.’’
For Granderson it’s the second fracture of the year. His season didn’t start until May 14 because of a fractured right forearm suffered in his first spring training at-bat.
This injury is similar to the one Alex Rodriguez had a year ago when he missed 36 games, but didn’t require surgery.
“As of right now it should be better than the last one,’’ Granderson said. “It’s crazy but you can’t get too frustrated.’’
Though Granderson missed six weeks, the Yankees were relying on his muscle that produced 43 and 41 homers in the previous two seasons.
“No matter how many games we won [without Granderson] he is one of those guys that hurts,’’ Robinson Cano said. “It’s going to hurt all of us. Hopefully he gets back soon.’’
That’s not likely to happen.
While Girardi was dealing with having four outfielders for three spots he certainly didn’t want to lose one to injury. Outfielder Brennan Boesch, who was sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 13, is a strong candidate to replace Granderson.
Girardi has the right-handed hitting Ben Francisco to play the outfield and said he isn’t afraid to use infielder Jayson Nix in the outfield.
As for Phelps, he believes he will make his next start Wednesday against the Mets, but that will require the soreness that is expected to settle into the meat part of the forearm to be gone.
“I will be fine,’’ said Phelps, who retired the first 13 Rays, gave up four runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings and is 3-2.
Phelps knew that a few inches either way, and he could have been seriously hurt.
“My guardian angel was looking out for me,’’ said Phelps, who slammed his glove to the ground with the right arm and walked off the mound.
“I was just mad. It was the first time I was hit in the upper body,’’ Phelps said. “With everything going on with our team I didn’t want to be the next guy.’’
He likely won’t be the last.
The victory halted a two-game losing streak for the Yankees who received a two-run homer from Brett Gardner in the fourth. Lyle Overbay and Nix also drove in two runs each.
“I don’t think we are going to have anything there but a bruise,’’ Girardi said of Phelps, whose X-rays were negative. “We will have to see how he feels in a couple of days.’’
Unfortunately the Yankees have plenty experience dealing with playing without high-profile players. Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Rodriguez have yet to play.
“It’s baseball and you have to deal with it,’’ Girardi said. “And we will deal with it.’’
Again.
george.king@nypost.com