MLB

Girardi: Teixeira, Youkils no locks for Yankees lineup tonight

Despite his boss saying Wednesday and Thursday Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira will join the Yankees Friday for the first of three games against the Red Sox, manager Joe Girardi wasn’t ready to finalize the moves.

“I know that has been reported, but as I have said all along, when they get here they get here,’’ Girardi said before the Yankees 3-1 loss to the Mets Thursday night at the Stadium. “When they decide and we decide they are ready, they are ready. I hate putting a date on something because if a guy says, ‘I don’t feel right.’ For example, if a guy has played a few games and didn’t have a full spring training and thinks he needs more at-bats. You put a date on it and everybody says: ‘Is there a setback?’ I don’t like putting dates on it. If they are here [tonight], I will be happy. If they are here [tomorrow], I will be happy.So when they get here, they get here.’’

Told that general manager Brian Cashman said the corner infielders, who played in Trenton Thursday night, would join the club Friday night, Girardi replied: “Maybe you should ask Brian.’’

“As long as they get through [last night], yes,’’ the general manager said when asked about Youkilis and Teixeira coming off the disabled list tonight.

To make room on the 25-man roster the Yankees could option third baseman David Adams and Vidal Nuno, last night’s starter, to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Dropping Nuno would mean the Yankees would be back to a dozen pitchers after carrying an extra arm.

* With the left-handed Nuno starting for the Yankees, Mets manager Terry Collins sat Ike Davis and used righty-swinging Justin Turner at first base. The manager also batted Turner leadoff for the third time this season. He went 1-for-4

Collins went with John Buck at designated hitter and Anthony Recker behind the plate, reasoning Recker (1-for-4) afforded the Mets an extra right-handed hitter in the lineup against Nuno while Buck (1-for-4, RBI infield hit) was still able to be in the lineup as well.

* Catcher Travis d’Arnaud will visit a doctor on Monday. General manager Sandy Alderson said the Mets are hoping he’s cleared for physical activity.

* Derek Jeter was in uniform for the second straight game and was on the field by the batting cage during batting practice and played catch.

* Andy Pettitte will come off the DL Monday night to face the Indians at Yankee Stadium.

That was David Phelps’ regularly scheduled start, but he likely will be moved back a day and face the Tribe on Tuesday, which would be Nuno’s next scheduled outing.

“It was the best thing they could do for the team,’’ Pettitte said of being placed on the DL, thanks to a trapezius muscle problem in the left side of the upper back. “I felt confident it would be two weeks. I am looking forward to getting back out there and going through the grind with the guys. That’s what I came back for.’’

Since Pettitte missed a start in April because of a back issue and hasn’t pitched since May 16, the 40-year-old lefty has been asked to alter his between-game program.

“I will make adjustments,’’ said Pettitte, who is 4-3 with a 3.83 ERA in eight games. “Maybe not throw a second bullpen [session] in between [starts]. They want me to do that.’’

When Pettitte is activated a pitcher likely will be moved. Ivan Nova could be optioned.

As for Phelps, who was shelled by the Mets Wednesday night and lasted one-third of an inning, Girardi said the right-hander remains a starter.

“Our plan right now is for him to be in the rotation,’’ Girardi said. ‘‘Depending where we go with Andy, where [Phelps] slots in.’’

* At Mariano Rivera’s gift presentation at Citi Field on Tuesday, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said jokingly: “I wish we could see you in the World Series, but I’m not sure if that’s going to happen this year.”

That seemed to be a dig — albeit an honest one — at his team. Asked Thursday if that could have inspired the Mets, who were 2-0 since Wilpon’s comment going into Thursday night, Collins replied: “If that motivated ’em, we’ll be blasting them again tonight.”

* Even with Youkilis and Teixeira at his disposal Girardi said it’s not a lock Robinson Cano, the Yankees’ best hitter, will be moved from second to third or fourth in the order.

“Your lineup against a right-hander could be different than against a left-hander. We could keep him in the two-hole as well,” said Girardi, who has batted Cano second 33 times this season and used him third in 21 games. “The one thing about Robbie Cano is that you want him to have as many at-bats as possible, that’s the bottom line. It’s very possible we could keep him [second].’’

* Brennan Boesch was in right field for the second straight game after going 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs Wednesday night. He went 1-for-3. Ichiro Suzuki, who started in left Wednesday, wasn’t in the lineup. He popped out as a pinch hitter.

“I am also thinking long-term, too, 17 days in a row,’’ Girardi said. “It’s getting hot and you have to make sure. Sometimes you think of Ich as a young guy, but he is one of those guys with some age on him too.’’

The 39-year-old Suzuki, who is batting .251 was on a five-game hitting streak (7-for-20) and showing signs of getting hot.

“He has been getting some hits for us. It’s more preventative in a sense, making sure everyone stays strong,’’ Girardi said. “Boesch swung the bat well [Wednesday]. But I worry about them, these guys are 38, 39.’’

* Hideki Matsui will be honored by the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 28. That’s when the popular outfielder and 2009 World Series MVP will ink a one-day contract with the Yankees and announce his official retirement with his parents at the ballpark.

The first 18,000 customers will receive a Matsui bobblehead.

Matsui was with the Yankees from 2003 to 2009, hitting .292 with 140 homers and 597 RBIs

Matsui went 3-for-4 with a home run and six RBIs in the Yankees’ World Series-clinching Game 6 win against the Phillies in 2009.

It was his final game with the Yankees. He played with the Angels, A’s and Rays after leaving The Bronx.

“I think he is extremely deserving. When you talk about Hideki Matsui I think of a great player and a great teammate,’’ said Girardi, who was the Yankees’ bench coach in 2005 and managed Matsui in 2009. “He was prepared to play every day and gave you everything. You will hear every player to a man say, ‘What a great teammate’ and I think everyone will look forward to that day.’’

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Brett Gardner found no problems with the Yankee Stadium outfield after last weekend’s soccer game.

“The lines are still there but it’s a whole lot better than expected,’’ Gardner said. “Ask after a concert and I will let you know.’’

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On Sunday afternoon, Mets assistant clubhouse manager Dave Berni suggested to longtime PR honcho Jay Horwitz he wear Berni’s orange-and-blue sneakers in order to stop the Mets’ five-game losing streak. Horwitz did, and the Mets entered last night 4-0 since, with Horwitz wearing the sneakers for each win. He had them on again Thursday. Asked if they were comfortable, Horwitz replied, “No.”