Mark Teixeira still has no idea when he’ll be back with the Yankees.
Despite being able to start baseball activities yesterday, when he took swings in the batting cage before a 10-7 win over the Blue Jays in The Bronx, the first baseman refused to estimate a date for his return from a strained left calf.
“I don’t want to put any timetable on it,” Teixeira said. “We tried that the last time, and it put pressure on everybody. We all wanted me to be back as soon as possible, and I wasn’t. I wasn’t ready.”
His comeback then lasted one game. Now, he’s being more cautious. Teixeira only had been getting treatment and working out in a pool. He isn’t ready to do anything on the field, but he would like that to change by the end of the weekend.
Teixeira expects to head to the Yankees’ facility in Tampa on Monday to focus on his rehab and play in instructional league games next week. But that’s as far as he’s willing to look ahead.
“When the doctors tell me I’m clear, when the trainers tell me that I’m clear, when the strength coach and baseball people say that you look normal and you’re running fine, then I’ll be out there,” Teixeira said.
“I need to be able to play in a couple of games, whether it’s intrasquad, instructional league-type games because there’s no minor league season.”
Joe Girardi isn’t holding his breath.
“It’s been 12 days so far, and he hasn’t done a whole lot,” the manager said. “We’ll see if we get a player back [from Tampa]. It’s something we have to heal.”
* Girardi starting Ichiro Suzuki against a lefty for the second straight game in left field last night is an indication the manager has turned away from playing the slumping Andruw Jones.
After the lefty-swinging Suzuki’s 7-for-8 doubleheader Wednesday that included a 4-for-4 mark against Blue Jays lefties, Girardi kept Ichiro in the lineup against lefty Aaron Laffey. Ichiro delivered a 2-for-4, three-RBI night that included a home run and double off Laffey.
Based on numbers, which Girardi pays very close attention to, it was an easy call. Ichiro was 9-for-16 against Laffey compared to Jones’ 1-for-10. Yet, Girardi’s reasoning went deeper than the math.
“[Jones] has struggled, he had a good month of July but the second half has been a struggle for him,’’ Girardi said of the righty slugger, who hit five of his 13 homers in July. “It hasn’t been one pitch that has gotten him out. He’s struggled, and you look at what Ich has done and we’re going with the hot hand.’’ Jones, who is batting .197 overall and has one hit in his past 15 at-bats, was batting .200 (33-for-165) with nine homers and 22 RBIs against lefties and .188 (12-for-64) with four homers and 10 RBI versus right-handers.
Girardi did not commit to using Ichiro against all lefties.
“It’s possible I could give him a day off against a lefty coming up here,’’ said Girardi, whose club will face Oakland lefty Travis Blackley tomorrow. “He played a doubleheader [Wednesday] and he said he felt good. We’ll take it day by day.’’
* Derek Jeter went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 14 straight games. He is batting .397 (25-for-63) during the streak.
* Andy Pettitte admitted to having “soreness in all the right places” yesterday, 24 hours after pitching five innings in his return from a three-month stint on the disabled list with a fractured left foot.
Now, the 40-year-old lefty is looking to get to a point where he won’t be on a pitch count.
“I’m trying to get the pitch count up to where it’s not an issue,’’ said Pettitte, who will be limited to 80 to 85 pitches Monday night against the Twins in Minnesota.
In his first start since June 27, Pettitte threw 75 pitches in five frames and posted the victory that hiked his record to 4-3. After facing the Twins, Pettitte will make his final regular-season start next Saturday in Toronto.
After that, Pettitte and the Yankees are hoping he can start a postseason game if the Yankees make it to the best-of-five ALDS.
“I feel good,’’ Pettitte said. “I’ll do my workout and play catch. I will get ready to start working toward the next [start].’’
Pettitte will throw a bullpen session today and might try to run afterward to try and build up his legs, which he said needed work after Wednesday’s game.
* Brett Gardner wasn’t activated for last night’s game.
“Hopefully soon,’’ Girardi said of the outfielder, who will be limited to pinch-running and possibly defense when he returns from the 60-day DL. Gardner hasn’t played since April due to a right elbow (non-throwing) injury that required surgery.