TORONTO — Because running is considered the biggest test for a lcalf problem, the news was positive Thursday out of Tampa where Mark Teixeira participated in a simulated game.
“He looked good, he ran about 75 to 80 percent,” said minor league head Mark Newman, who watched the workout. “He swung the bat well, hit some line drives.’’
According to manager Joe Girardi, Teixeira played an inning at first base but running will dictate when he returns.
“To me, the biggest test is running the bases,’’ Girardi said before the Yankees’ 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays. “I think he can protect it a little bit in the field if he has to. Sometimes you get in a situation like he was in Baltimore and your mind tells you, ‘I got to go.’ ”
Teixeira missed 10 games, returned Sept. 8 and reinjured his left calf diving head-first into first base. He hasn’t been on a major-league field since.
Girardi said Teixeira would play in another simulated game but wasn’t sure if it would be Friday or Saturday. While it’s likely he could join the Yankees during the four-game series against the Blue Jays, it’s more likely he will be back with the club Monday when the Yankees open a three-game series with the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
”You would like to know that he is 100 percent,’’ Girardi said. “But I don’t think you are going to know until you get into an intense situation.’’
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Alex Rodriguez was the DH last night after not being in the lineup Wednesday against the Twins because his left foot was sore after fouling a ball off it Tuesday night.
Girardi strongly hinted Rodriguez could return to third base tonight and Rodriguez said “we will see’’ when asked after the 6-0 loss if he would be able to play third.
“I am out there so it’s good enough,’’ said Rodriguez who went 0-for-2, walked and was hit by a pitch.
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Russell Martin reacted angrily to a 2-0 call by home plate umpire Tim Welke and got a lecture from Welke at the end of the game.
“Act professionally,’’ Martin said when asked what Welke told him.
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Brett Gardner took batting practice on the field Thursday, and though Girardi doesn’t know if Gardner has enough time to be a hitter before the regular season ends, he didn’t rule out Gardner being part of the postseason roster even if he can only run and play defense.
“We have done that before where we have taken a baserunner,’’ Girardi said, referring to Freddy Guzman in 2009, who was on the roster for the ALCS against the Angels.
If Girardi takes Gardner it would reduce the number of pitchers he takes.
The loss dropped the Yankees two games behind the Rangers in the race for the best record in the AL, which would guarantee the winner home-field advantage in the ALDS and ALCS.
“I haven’t looked at that a lot,’’ Girardi said. “I know us and Texas are close. We are trying to win the division, after that everything else is gravy.’’
Locked in a fight for the AL East has kept Girardi away from formulating plans as to what a possible postseason roster will look like.
“I haven’t really thought about a playoff roster,’’ Girardi said. “I want everyone pitching well and then we will make our decisions.’’