ST. PETERSBURG — In a season in which seemingly every tumble, hit-by-pitch and muscle strain has led to disaster, the Yankees held their breath as Robinson Cano fell to the ground yesterday near second base in the second inning of an 8-3 loss to the Rays.
After Cano took third baseman David Adams’ high throw at second that cost the Yankees an out, baserunner Sean Rodriguez’s foot came down on Cano’s left foot. That caused Cano to fall. He landed hard on his right shoulder, stayed down for a bit and got up slowly.
“He got my left foot, but I am good,’’ said Cano, who stayed in the game and got two of the five hits off Rays starter Alex Cobb. “It was my fault.’’
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* Before claiming lefty reliever David Huff on Saturday off waivers from the Indians, the Yankees asked the Pirates about Mike Zagurski. Pittsburgh, however, is on the verge of elevating him from Triple-A to the majors.
The 30-year-old, 6-foot, 240-pound Zagurski has appeared in 82 major league games for the Phillies and Diamondbacks.
Huff joined the Yankees yesterday and was activated. Right-handed hitting outfielder Ben Francisco, who didn’t start Saturday against Rays lefty Matt Moore, was designated for assignment to make room for Huff, who gave up a run, a hit and walked two in his debut.
“I’ll take one day at a time and continue to do what I do,’’ said Huff, who allowed five earned runs in three innings for Cleveland this season.
Huff grew up in Southern California competing against Phil Hughes but is remembered by Yankees fans for taking an Alex Rodriguez line drive above his left ear on May 29, 2010 at Yankee Stadium. Huff was taken off the field on a stretcher.
* Catcher Chris Stewart started Friday night and caught nine innings. Saturday, he replaced Austin Romine for the final inning. Yesterday, manager Joe Girardi started Romine for the second straight game because Stewart’s left groin problem hasn’t fully healed.
“I don’t think Stew is completely out of the woods yet,’’ Girardi said of his No. 1 catcher who missed five games (May 17-22). “I am not afraid to use him. He still knows it’s there and we have to be careful.’’
* Eduardo Nunez has suffered a setback with his strained left oblique muscle.
“He was doing pretty good and he took some BP [on Saturday] and he felt like he couldn’t really let it go, he felt like he couldn’t finish his swings,’’ Girardi said of the shortstop, who has been on the DL since May 6. “I don’t know exactly what that means, how long they will shut him down.’’
* David Phelps tested his bruised right forearm by playing catch before yesterday’s game and announced he will be ready to start Wednesday night against the Mets at Yankee Stadium.
“I did a 10-pitch flat ground [workout] and will do a light side [today] and be good to go,’’ said Phelps, who left Friday night’s game after being hit on the inside of the forearm.
Phelps, who threw with his arm wrapped, knows he is lucky the injury isn’t a lot more serious.
“If you see where the bruise is it’s less than an inch away from the bone,’’ Phelps said. “It could have been different.’’
* Kevin Youkilis would like to accompany Mark Teixeira to Trenton and start a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday night.
“I hope, I wish, but they make the call,’’ Youkilis said of the Yankees’ front office, which will probably place the corner infielder, who has been out with a lower back problem, a few days behind Teixeira. “I haven’t had any back issues. Little aches from getting back on the field but the back has been great.’’
Teixeira and Youkilis will participate in an extended spring training game this morning at the Yankees’ minor league facility.
“I don’t want to be in Tampa playing extended spring training [games] but it’s not my control,’’ Youkilis said.
* Andy Pettitte didn’t feel any discomfort yesterday in his left trapezius muscle after throwing in the bullpen Saturday and is slated for a simulated game in Tampa tomorrow. If that goes well, Pettitte will come off the DL in five or six days. He could start Sunday against the Red Sox or against the Indians on Monday.
Girardi estimated Pettitte would throw 70 to 75 pitches.
* Girardi is “99 percent sure’’ Hiroki Kuroda will start tomorrow night against the Mets at Citi Field.
Kuroda was forced out of his last start against the Orioles on May 22 when he was struck on the right calf and suffered a bruise.
Kuroda threw in the bullpen Saturday and, outside of a little tightness in the area, said he was fine.
* Girardi isn’t thinking about what will happen to Lyle Overbay when Teixeira returns. That could happen Friday or Saturday.
“That is something we will deal with when the situation arises,’’ Girardi said. “I will worry about it then.
* Joba Chamberlain flew home with the Yankees last night but there wasn’t word of what the next step for the right-handed reliever. It’s possible he could be activated for tomorrow night’s game.