Even when the tests come back negative, the news isn’t all good for the Yankees.
Following Shane Victorino’s line drive hitting Hiroki Kuroda’s middle right finger in the second inning last night, Kuroda was removed from the Red Sox-Yankees game shortly after and sent for an X-ray and CT scan.
Though the tests showed no broken bones or damaged tendons, there is no guarantee the veteran right-hander will make his next scheduled start against the Indians in Cleveland Monday night.
“It’s tough to tell, but I will try and get ready,’’ Kuroda said following a 7-4 Yankees loss that was played in chilly conditions and in front of an announced crowd of 40,216 which was about double of what was on hand huddled under ski caps and blankets.
“We are going to take it day by day and see where we are at,’’ said manager Joe Girardi, who lifted Kuroda after he hit two batters and walked one following Victorino’s liner off the middle digit and clearly was affected by the problem described as a contusion.
Already without Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson, the Yankees can’t afford their No. 2 starter to miss any time. Yet, there is a chance Kuroda, who had the finger wrapped, might have to skip a turn.
“There is no swelling and the [test] results are good, so we will see how it goes,’’ said Kuroda, who absorbed the loss. In 1 1/3 innings he allowed two runs, four hits, issued a walk and hit two batters. “I will talk to the doctor [today].’’
If Kuroda can’t start Monday, Adam Warren might get the ball. Warren, who made the team out of spring training for situations like last night’s allowed a run and five hits in 5 1/3 innings and prevented Girardi from frying the bullpen.
“Way too early,’’ Girardi said when asked Kuroda’s status for the next start.
Not until Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz left after seven strong innings did the Yankees bats stir. Vernon Wells’ third hit of the game, a three-run homer in the eighth off ex-Yankee Alfredo Aceves, cut the visitors’ lead to 7-4, but the Yankees failed to score in the ninth.
Buchholz, bothered by back issues last season, allowed a run and six hits in seven frames. The Yankees were 0-for-4 against the right-hander with runners in scoring position and 1-for-10 with men on base.
So, for the second straight season the Yankees will attempt to avoid starting a year off with three straight losses tonight behind Andy Pettitte.
In 2012, they were swept by the Rays, but it wasn’t as daunting because the Yankees were at full strength.
That is not the case two games into a season in which the starting rotation was supposed to be the strongest link in the rope.
“We haven’t played good enough baseball to win,’’ Wells said. “We haven’t clicked in all three phases.’’
By the time Wells clicked against Aceves, the Red Sox were comfortably ahead. They scored once in the first and second innings, four in the third when Warren gave up a single to Jacoby Ellsbury that scored the two runners Warren inherited from Cody Eppley. A run in the sixth hiked the cushion to 7-1.
“It’s not unusual to lose two games in a row. I think it becomes somewhat glaring when it’s the first two games of the year,’’ Girardi said. “We didn’t start out too good last year and things turned out OK.’’
Girardi is correct. But then he had Teixeira instead of Lyle Overbay at first, Jeter rather than Eduardo Nunez at short, Rodriguez at third instead of Kevin Youkilis, Granderson in center and Russell Martin behind the plate.
george.king@nypost.com