The Core Four is quickly becoming the Sore Four.
Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera are nursing minor injuries that could keep them out of action for a few days, although neither injury appears serious right now.
Posada sat out last night’s 4-1 win over the Orioles with a strained right calf. Rivera did not pitch because he’s been bothered by a sore left side since Saturday.
Posada, 38, was banged up last week when he took a Jeremy Guthrie fastball to the right knee and missed two days. On Monday night, he felt his calf “grab” as he ran to first base in the fourth inning.
Rivera, 40, threw a short bullpen session before last night’s game.
“If we could, I’d like to stay away from him for another day,” Girardi said. “When a player deems himself ready, if you can give him another day I don’t think it hurts him but we’ll see.”
Rivera reported no problems after throwing 10-15 pitches in the bullpen. He said he would be fine with a cautious approach since it’s only May.
“That would be fine with me,” he said. “It’s early in the season. We have to make smart decisions.”
Posada said his calf remained stiff yesterday and did not think he would have been able to play unless it was an emergency situation. The plan is to rest him again tonight, then see if he can play Friday night in Boston.
“It is frustrating not being able to play,” said Posada. “When you think you feel fine, something comes up. Hopefully I’ll be there Friday.”
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Javier Vazquez did not protest, nor was he surprised, when Girardi told him he wouldn’t start Friday in Boston.
“I’m in no position to say anything,” said Vazquez, who is 1-3 with a 9.78 ERA. “Whatever they feel is the best for the team, that’s the way I’m going.”
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Last night, Girardi gave Derek Jeter a half-day off, using him as the designated hitter. The Yanks are in a stretch of nine straight games before an off day tomorrow. After that, they have 17 consecutive games.
“In the midst of these long runs I’ve got to find time for these guys,” Girardi said. “I tried to put it in a gentle, nicer way last night but there’s a little age on them.”
Jeter’s first-inning double to right-center was the 443rd of his career and put him ahead of Don Mattingly on the all-time Yankee list.
Last night was Jeter’s 2,163rd game in pinstripes and he needs one to tie Lou Gehrig for second place on the Yankees’ list. Mickey Mantle leads with 2,401.
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Former Yankee farmhand Austin Jackson, now with the Tigers, was leading the American League with a .377 average entering last night. He credits Robinson Cano, who was second in the AL with a .371 average, with helping him in spring training while he was a Yankee.
“When I was over there, [Cano] was the main guy on the big-league team that took me under his wing and told me what the grind of a full major league season would be like,” Jackson told reporters.
“He told me to just keep hitting. He said, ‘Don’t worry about anything, don’t worry about what anybody says. Just go out and play like it’s your last game. You’ll be fine.’ “
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Several Yankees did some extra hitting drills yesterday. Alex Rodriguez, who has only two home runs, worked on pulling the ball with third base coach Rob Thomson. Brett Gardner, Ramiro Pena and new call-up Greg Golson did a bunting drill.
To make room for Golson, pitcher Mark Melancon was sent down to Scranton.
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The Yankees expect injured reliever Chan Ho Park (right hamstring) to throw a bullpen session Friday. If that goes well, he will make a few rehabilitation starts in the minors before coming off the disabled list.
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The Yankees announced Lori L. Baur of Sleepy Hollow as the winner of the Honorary Bat Girl contest. The contest is designed to honor fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrated a commitment to the cause of curing it. . . . Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride was on the field before last night’s game.