VIERA, Fla. — Mark Teixeira’s surgically repaired right wrist feels so good the switch-hitter no longer believes swinging and missing and checking a swing are tests to determine what condition the hinge is in.
“No, [but] I feel pretty confident if I do I will be all right,’’ Teixeira said when asked if he swung at and missed a pitch during his three at-bats in Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. “I feel very good. I really couldn’t be happier with how I feel right now. Nothing has happened that I have said ‘OK, let’s reassess something.’ It’s boring, but it’s good.
“If I was having a lot of soreness and bad swings or if I didn’t feel right or let go with one hand then I would be saying we need to make sure that this would be good for a long season. The way I feel right now there are no complaints.’’
While the Yankees leave for Panama City, Panama, on Thursday and two weekend games against the Marlins, Teixeira will be with the group left in Tampa as part of a plan laid out at the beginning of camp.
“We talked about it from Day One that the Panama training room wasn’t ideal and I need a lot of extra work,’’ Teixeira said. “I am still doing rehab and strengthening things every single day. We wanted to make sure that I stay on that schedule.’’
Manager Joe Girardi said the next step in Teixeira’s program will be to play back-to-back games.
Girardi didn’t encounter any pushback from players regarding the upcoming trip to Panama where Mariano Rivera will be honored in his homeland.
“I think the guys are excited to go for Mo,’’ Girardi said.
According to Girardi, don’t look for Rivera to be in uniform.
“I think it will be all ceremonial,’’ the manager said. “I thought he should play an inning in center.’’
The Yankees are bringing plenty of name recognition starting with Derek Jeter. Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano, CC Sabathia and Brett Gardner will travel.
“I am very excited about the whole experience,’’ McCann said. “I have never met [Rivera] and I am anxious to do that. He is the greatest of all time and to be around that presence is special.’’
Adam Warren starts Saturday night’s game and Sabathia goes Sunday when McCann will catch him.
Infielder Brendan Ryan took dry swings Tuesday in Tampa and will advance to tee and toss Wednesday. After that his lower right back problem will be evaluated.
Ryan hasn’t played since March 4.
Masahiro Tanaka will make his third start of the spring Sunday against the Braves in Tampa. Tanaka threw a simulated game Tuesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field and lived up to his reputation as a strike thrower since 49 of the 63 pitches he threw were strikes. At one point he threw 16 straight strikes. Of the 18 batters Tanaka faced in four innings, nine whiffed.
Eduardo Nunez and Ryan remain the favorites to be the reserve infielders Opening Day but according to Girardi, Dean Anna, Zelous Wheeler and Yangervis Solarte have impressed.
“When you look at some of the guys competing for those spots they are playing well,’’ Girardi said. “If I had to make a decision today it would be [hard]. All are playing extremely well. We have three weeks to sort it out.’’