Used to hearing bad news when a player heads for an MRI exam, the Yankees received a positive report Saturday about Curtis Granderson’s right hamstring.
Granderson left Saturday’s 4-3 victory over the Orioles after two innings for what was called a tight right hamstring. The test revealed no strain, sprain or pulled muscle.
“They said it was tendinitis where the bone and joint come together,’’ said Granderson, who felt the leg on the run from the dugout to center field at the start of the game.
“I could have stayed in the game, the only issue was if I had to really go run,’’ said Granderson, who whiffed in the second inning and is in a 3-for-26 (.115) slide.
Manager Joe Girardi didn’t think he would have the Yankees’ leading home run hitter today, and because the following three games are on turf at Tropicana Field, there is a question of when Granderson returns.
Girardi will deal with that question but was relieved with the news.
“If it’s a strain, that’s a minimum of two weeks, and at this time of the year it’s hard to overcome,’’ said Girardi, who moved Ichiro Suzuki from left to center and has Chris Dickerson available to play center.
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Andy Pettitte didn’t know when he would be cleared to throw a bullpen session. “I am not sure what date that will be,’’ Girardi said of Pettitte’s next batting practice session. “We will go day by day, it shouldn’t be long.’’
Pettitte, out since June 27 with a fractured left ankle, threw a 20-pitch bullpen Friday.
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Mark Teixeira missed a fourth straight game because of a left calf injury suffered Aug. 27, and Cashman doesn’t have a firm date when the first baseman will return.
“I don’t know yet. He is getting better and he is feeling good,’’ Cashman said. “It’s a minimum 10 days.’’
Sunday is the sixth day since Teixeira suffered a similar injury that landed Derek Jeter on the DL last year.
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Girardi didn’t sound like a manager itching to give Francisco Cervelli a start behind the plate.
“My anticipation is staying with the guys who got us here,’’ Girardi said of using Chris Stewart as Russell Martin’s backup.
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When Brett Gardner underwent surgery on the right (non-throwing ) elbow in late July, the Yankees announced he was done for the season.
Nevertheless, Gardner isn’t thinking that way.
“I am feeling good, I am getting close,’’ Gardner said. “Don’t count me out yet.’’
Despite Gardner’s optimism, he remains a long shot to make it back even as a pinch-runner.
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Utility infielder Casey McGehee will join the Yankees Monday. He was optioned to Single-A Charleston last week to make room for Steve Pearce.
In order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Dickerson, the Yankees designated Ramiro Pena for assignment. The club has 10 days to trade or release the infielder.
In addition to Eduardo Nunez and Dickerson, the Yankees promoted Cervelli and pitchers, Justin Thomas, Cory Wade and Adam Warren.