IN THE SWING: Andruw Jones, who would start in left field as Brett Gardner slides to center if Curtis Granderson is out for an extended period, singles during yesterday’s game. (REUTERS)
SARASOTA, Fla. — Hours after Curtis Granderson was pulled yesterday from the lineup with a strained right oblique muscle, the level of concern in the Yankees’ universe was significant.
And the strained muscle jeopardizes the center fielder’s chances of being in the Opening Day lineup on March 31 against the Tigers.
Asked if he was worried Granderson won’t be ready to face the Tigers at Yankee Stadium a week from tomorrow, Brian Cashman didn’t soft-shoe the injury, one that often lingers.
“A little bit. I won’t sit here today and tell you he will be fine, but I can’t tell you he will be ready,” the GM said following a 6-2 loss to the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. “Obliques are tricky; let’s see the next few days. We will be cautious and hope to have success like Joba [Chamberlain] and [Sergio] Mitre [had]. It’s too early to give it a call. He felt something. We will get a better feel how cautious we need to be.”
Chamberlain, Mitre and reserve outfielder Greg Golson missed time this spring with oblique problems. Chamberlain and Golson returned yesterday, while Mitre made his second appearance back.
Granderson returned to Tampa and was examined by Dr. Allen Miller. Trainer Gene Monahan told manager Joe Girardi no tests were planned yesterday. That could change today.
Granderson suffered the injury taking batting practice, but didn’t tell Girardi. He then threw and ran, and the fact that he wasn’t bothered during those exercises was encouraging to Girardi.
So was Granderson telling the manager if it was a regular-season game he would have played. Of course, Granderson may have not informed Girardi if this was May instead of March.
“I am concerned,” said Girardi, who would shift Brett Gardner from left to center, use Andruw Jones in left and likely add Golson to the roster as a fourth outfielder and defensive replacement if Granderson isn’t ready for Opening Day.
Golson had been out since March 7 with an oblique problem.
If Granderson has to go on the disabled list, as long as he does not play in a game for which admission is charged, it could be back-dated to yesterday. That would make him eligible to return April 6.
And there is always the chance the Yankees could acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder so Jones wouldn’t have to face right-handers. Jones was signed primarily to play left against lefties.
A year ago Jones, 33, batted .219 (42-for-192) with 11 homers and 25 RBIs against righties and .256 (22-for-86) with eight homers and 23 RBIs versus lefties.
For his career, Jones is a .255 hitter against righties and .261 versus lefties.
How he would respond to full-time work isn’t clear. Last season, Jones was a part-time player for the White Sox, hitting .230 with 19 homers in 278 at-bats.
Jones said Granderson told him he didn’t think the problem was severe.
“We talked a little bit, he said maybe two to three days,” Jones said. “Hopefully he will come back and be ready for the season. He is a key player on the team.”
In Granderson’s first season in The Bronx, he batted .247 with 24 homers and 67 RBIs. He was out 25 days with a left groin strain and there are a number of reasons why people expect Granderson to be better this season.
The changes Granderson made with hitting coach Kevin Long late last year worked. Then there is the comfort level of not everything about the Yankees being new. And he is hitting .385 (15-for-39) with three homers and seven RBIs in 15 games this spring.
george.king@nypost.com