TAMPA — In order for the prediction Mark Teixeira made Sunday to be correct, the switch-hitting first baseman must return from right wrist surgery to be the run producer he was his first three years in pinstripes.
“The great thing, you look at our lineup and we are back to being the Yankees again. Last year we weren’t the Yankees,’’ Teixeira said prior to a workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “We had so many injuries and guys that should have been in there.’’
Limited to 15 games last season because of a a torn tendon sheath that required July 1 surgery to repair, the Yankees need Teixeira to play 150 games, hit 30 or more homers and drive in a 100-plus runs. His first three seasons in The Bronx, Teixeira averaged 37 homers and 114 RBIs before injuries sabotaged the past two years.
Though the Yankees reacted to Robinson Cano bolting for Seattle by signing Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury, the lineup requires production from Teixeira, who is in the sixth year of an eight-year, $180 million deal.
“There is not one guy who has to carry this team, but I expect to hit in the middle of the order,’’ Teixeira said.
Outside of admitting his wrist is tight and he’s a “tick behind’’ at the start of spring training, Teixeira said he was encouraged by the progress he has made post-surgery.
After Sunday’s workout, which included hitting off a batting tee and taking live batting practice against staff right-hander Pat Roessler, Teixeira was glowing.
“I am very encouraged. It was a good first day and I am very happy,’’ said the slugger, who hacked at 43 pitches.
Adding to the positive vibe was Teixeira saying he felt better from the left side than the right. Prior to the workout Teixeira said he felt better from the right side than the left, which is how he was swinging when he suffered the injury last year preparing for the World Baseball Classic.
“I felt a lot better left-handed,’’ said Teixeira, who resumed swinging Jan. 1 in Connecticut. “I was coming around too much right-handed.’’
Hitting in cages, off tees and against room-service batting-practice tosses is all part of the process Teixeira has to follow. But the Yankees and Teixeira won’t know what the deal is until an opposing pitcher unleashes fastballs and mixes up pitches. Until that time, there is a measure of fear.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t [apprehensive],’’ Teixeira said. “Everyone can go out after major surgery and say, ‘I am fine and I am going to be as good as ever.’ But you don’t know until you go out there. For me it’s two steps. Make sure I am healthy and that means taking full swings at a 95 mph fastball during spring training games.
“We have six weeks to figure that out. If I can do that for a week straight then it’s all about production.’’
If Teixeira continues to progress, when would manager Joe Girardi play him in an exhibition game?
“When he tells me he is ready. We will wait and see how the next 10 days or so go,’’ said Girardi, who has no experienced backup first baseman. “Once [trainer] Stevie [Donohue] and the doctors declare him ready I will put him in there.’’
Teixeira, who will turn 34 in April, is looking at 2014 as the beginning of a multi-year streak of productivity.
“I hope to play five more really productive years. I am in good shape and if the wrist is healthy there is no reason I can’t drive in runs, hit home runs and play great defense,” he said.
The Yankees have their fingers firmly crossed the five-year run starts this year because if it doesn’t, the additions of McCann, Beltran and Ellsbury won’t mean as much.