David Robertson’s back tightened up after three pitches yesterday in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ 13-11 loss to the Twins yesterday at the Stadium.
The Yankees reliever was hit by a Joe Mauer line drive along his belt line on Wednesday in Minnesota. He said the muscle just above where the ball was hit tensed up on him against the Indians.
“I couldn’t finish a pitch out there,” Robertson said. “It didn’t really feel great.”
PHOTOS: INDIANS PITCHER HIT IN HEAD BY LINE DRIVE
He felt it against the first batter he faced, Trevor Crowe, when he hit him with a pitch. He stayed in for two more batters before being removed after one pitch to Jhonny Peralta when the Yankees coaches saw him cringe.
No tests are planned, and he is day-to-day. The Yankees called it a mild lower back strain.
The Yankees could be short in their bullpen today. Robertson likely is to be unavailable. Joba Chamberlain threw 25 pitches. Chad Gaudin threw 35 pitches. Sergio Mitre has thrown on back-to-back days.
That leaves them with Damaso Marte, Chan Ho Park and Mariano Rivera to back up A.J. Burnett. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said there are no plans to call anyone up.
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Curtis Granderson was given the day off after playing his first game Friday night since coming off the disabled list. It was not a complete day off, though. He pinch hit in the ninth inning and walked.
Girardi said he wanted to give Granderson the day game after a night game off. The Indians also had left-handed David Huff starting. Girardi plans on giving him a day off next weekend in Toronto, too.
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Mark Teixeira snapped a 10-game streak without an RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the fourth inning. He went 0-for-3, dropping his average to .215.
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Jorge Posada is taking steps toward returning from a fractured right foot. The veteran catcher hit off a tee before yesterday’s game, and threw on the field with first-base coach Mick Kelleher.
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Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 on the 15th anniversary of his Major League debut in Seattle.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jeter has more runs (1,602) and hits (2,807) within 15 years of his debut than any player in major league history. His ninth-inning double moved him into a tie with Bernie Williams for second place all-time on the franchise career doubles list with 449. He trails Lou Gehrig by 85.