VIERA, Fla. — With Eduardo Nunez out since March 5 with a bruised right hand, the Yankees watched fellow utility infielder Ramiro Pena leave yesterday’s action with a sprained right ankle.
Pena, who isn’t likely to make the club because Eric Chavez and Nunez will be the extra infielders, got his spikes caught in the dirt near second base at Space Coast Stadium during an 8-5 Yankees win over the Nationals.
“I don’t feel bad. I should be OK in two or three days,’’ said Pena, who was helped off the field by manager Joe Girardi and trainer Steve Donohue.
Girardi was less enthusiastic about Pena missing two or three days.
“I am sure it’s going to be pretty sore [today]. Sometimes your adrenaline helps you out,’’ said Girardi, who explained no tests were planned.
If Nunez, who is three days away from swinging a bat, and Pena aren’t ready for Opening Day, Bill Hall could snag a roster spot until Nunez or Pena are ready.
Hall, who is in camp on a minor league deal, had two hits and two RBIs yesterday.
* According to Girardi, Nick Swisher’s tight left groin didn’t worsen after he came out of Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jays.
“I called him [Wednesday night] and he said it didn’t feel any worse,’’ Girardi said. “He did the right thing coming out of the game this time of the year. I am not sure how tight it was, but the sense that I got was if it was the middle of the season he might have been able to play. We will see [today].’’
* Reliever David Robertson played catch yesterday.
“He said he felt OK after [Wednesday],’’ Girardi said of the reliever who is recovering from a bruised right foot. Robertson worked out on a treadmill for 30 minutes yesterday. “We don’t want to do too much too early. We have time.’’
* Former Yankee Chien-Ming Wang left the game in the third inning with a left hamstring injury. Wang was injured when he stumbled toward first base after fielding a Russell Martin grounder.
“I felt really bad for him,’’ Girardi said of the former Yankee who missed most of 2009, all of 2010 and most of last year with shoulder problems. “I was impressed with the way he threw the ball. My heart goes out to him. He has been through so much.’’