MINNEAPOLIS — Joe Girardi was encouraged by the report he received regarding Mark Teixeira’s activity yesterday in Tampa.
However, the manager still doesn’t know if he will get the switch-hitting first baseman back before the Yankees leave Toronto on Sunday.
“Tex did a bunch of work, which I think is a good sign,’’ Girardi said before last night’s 6-3 win over the Twins. “He ran the bases, not at full speed. He [took] ground balls and took [batting practice] and came out pretty good.’’
Teixeira has played one game since Aug. 28 due to a left calf injury. He came back on Sept. 8 in Baltimore, re-injured the calf and has not smelled the field since.
Girardi did not sound like he was expecting to have Teixeira for the four-games series starting Thursday night in Toronto.
“I don’t know, the concern is that you rush him and he has that one play and you know he is done for the season,’’ Girardi said.
Compounding the issue is the artificial turf at Rogers Centre is unforgiving on players’ legs.
Derek Jeter’s ninth-inning single extended his hitting streak to a season-high 18 games. Jeter is batting .370 (30-for-81) during the longest active streak in the big leagues.
With the Yankees involved a tight race with the Orioles in the AL East, not much has been made of finishing with the best record in the league, which would give them home-field advantage throughout the ALDS and ALCS.
The Yankees are within two games of the Rangers (91-62) for the best record.
“You think about the division first and then try to add a little bit if you can,’’ Girardi said.
Ichiro Suzuki was named AL Player of the Week, his fourth such career honor and first since 2010. In the six games prior to last night’s action, Suzuki went 15-for-25 (.600) with two homers, five RBIs and six stolen bases. He went 1-for-5 and scored a run last night.
Joe Girardi insists the delay in activating Brett Gardner from the disabled list is not a physical issue with his surgically repaired right (non-throwing) elbow.
“It’s more a numbers game,’’ Girardi said.
When Gardner is activated the Yankees must remove a name from the 40-man roster or put a player on the 60-day DL.
”He isn’t active yet, we are getting there,’’ Girardi said. “He is doing tee and toss and trying to step it up.’’
Right-handed reliever David Aardsma joined the club and is likely to be activated today, but don’t look for him to be used in a tight spot.
“We really don’t know,’’ Girardi said when asked what Aardsma could do for a bullpen that has been very busy lately. “He hasn’t pitched in a couple of years, so when we do activate him we are going to have to pick some spots. Coming back from Tommy John is a serious thing, so we will have to see.’’
Aardsma worked 53 games for the Mariners in 2010 and has been coming back from Tommy John surgery. He is on the 60-day DL, so a spot on the 40-man roster has to be cleared for him.