ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Teixeira said he believes he will be in the Yankees’ lineup Sunday against Rays left-hander Cesar Ramos.
Manager Joe Girardi said everything points to having the switch-hitting first baseman back from the disabled list the first day he is eligible.
Nevertheless, until Teixeira stands in against Ramos in the finale of a four-game series at Tropicana Field, nothing is guaranteed.
“I’ll be ready Sunday, but I don’t make the transactions,’’ Teixeira told three media outlets after going 0-for-1, walking twice and playing three innings at first base Thursday for the Yankees’ extended spring training club in Tampa. “I will be fully ready to play Sunday and disappointed if I don’t.’’
Thursday was Teixeira’s first game action since April 4 when he left a game in Toronto with what was announced as a right hamstring strain. However, Teixeira said Thursday the small strain is actually to the adductor muscle and not the hamstring.
“The adductor goes from the pelvis to the knee and runs alongside the hamstring,’’ Teixeira said.
While not running all out on the bases, Teixeira moved from first to second on an errant pickoff attempt and first to third on a double to left that he could have scored on had he wanted to push the leg.
“It is so minor that I would be kicking and fighting to be playing if it wasn’t so early,’’ Teixeira said.
David Robertson will take the next step in his bid to come off the DL Tuesday night in Boston when he pitches an inning for the Yankees’ extended spring training team in Tampa on Saturday.
Robertson threw a 25-pitch bullpen session at Tropicana Field before the Yankees’ 10-2 win over the Rays in the first game of a four-game set.
“Get Sunday and Monday off and be ready to go Tuesday,’’ said Robertson, who has been on the DL since April 7 with a strained left groin.
Robertson said more concentration on stretching before games could keep the problem from resurfacing.
Like everyone else, Robertson has been impressed with Shawn Kelley, Adam Warren and David Phelps who have posted saves while the closer was on the shelf.
“I didn’t think every game would be a save situation, but they’ve nailed it down,’’ Robertson said.
Kelley is 4-for-4 in save chances, and Warren and Phelps are each 1-for-1.
As for Robertson, he said the full 15 days weren’t necessary but admitted having the Red Sox in the Bronx last week was too much to be down a reliever.
“I felt like I could have pitched a couple of days ago,’’ said Robertson, who has converted both save chances. “But they felt I needed seven or eight days and with Boston coming to town you couldn’t go with a six-man pen.’’
The Yankees and Mets had scouts watching righty reliever Joel Hanrahan throw in Tampa. Hanrahan, a free agent, is coming back from Tommy John surgery last season, when he appeared in nine games for the Red Sox.
The Yankees were impressed with the 32-year-old, who has pitched for the Nationals and Pirates.
Girardi said he wasn’t ready to announce who will start Sunday in the finale of a four-game series against the Rays but said the pitcher is already on the roster. Vidal Nuno is the leading candidate, if he isn’t used Friday or Saturday.
“It will come from within,’’ said Girardi, who might not want to toy with using Phelps or Warren, who have pitched well out of the bullpen, as a starter.
The need for a starter Sunday evolved due to Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Cubs.
A report out of Sydney, Australia that strongly hinted the Yankees will open the 2018 season there was shot down by a MLB official. The Dodgers and Diamondbacks opened this season in Australia.
Brendan Ryan hasn’t played since March 4 when he appeared in a spring training game. Nevertheless, the pinched nerve in the neck that forced him to start the season on the DL is improving to the point where the slick-fielding shortstop is hoping to get into an extended spring training game soon.
“It’s been awesome the last couple of days,’’ Ryan said after fielding ground balls at the minor league complex in Tampa. “There is no feeling of any discomfort in any way. It’s refreshing waking up and there is nothing there.’’
The plan is for Ryan to get three at-bats Friday — possibly in a simulated game — and three more on Saturday.
“Monday we start going five at-bats every day until they think I have had enough,’’ Ryan said.
Girardi said Ryan, who basically missed all of spring training, would need 40 or so at-bats to be ready, and by playing in extended spring games, Ryan can bat every inning.
Scott Sizemore became the latest Yankee to make his debut at first base Thursday night when Girardi opted to sit left-handed hitting Kelly Johnson against Rays lefty David Price.
Sizemore, who went 1-for-3, was taking grounders while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and participated in pitcher’s fielding drills in anticipation of playing a game at first but instead was called up to the big leagues Tuesday.
“It’s a little bit unexpected but I think I’m ready for it and I’ll be fine,’’ said Sizemore, who explained he had never played the position at any level.
Sizemore, a second and third baseman, borrowed Johnson’s first baseman’s glove.
Brian Roberts returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games with a back issue. He went 3-for-5 scored twice and drove in two runs.
“The results were the best night so far,’’ said Roberts who is batting .194. “It’s not the first time I have started slow. I do the work, and it will turn around.’’