DETROIT — Joe Girardi’s inclination is to believe the soreness in Nick Swisher’s left biceps isn’t a big deal. However, until the right fielder is examined by Dr. Chris Ahmad today at Yankee Stadium, the manager is withholding judgment.
“Right now, I am not too concerned, but let the doctor examine him,” Girardi said.
Following yesterday’s 6-0 loss to the Tigers, Swisher said he wasn’t aware of a doctors appointment or any tests that were scheduled.
Swisher was removed in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s 8-0 win in the second game of a doubleheader and wasn’t in yesterday’s lineup that was smothered by Justin Verlander.
“You get more concerned when it’s up in the biceps tendon but this isn’t there,” said Girardi, who started Greg Golson in right and hit Juan Miranda in Swisher’s seventh spot. Golson went 0-for-2 and was pinch-hit for by Marcus Thames in the seventh. Miranda went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Swisher spent most of the morning in the trainer’s room receiving treatment.
“It feels great right now,” Swisher said hours before the first pitch. “If Skip needed me today I would be in there.”
Girardi said he could have used the switch-hitting Swisher as a hitter from the right side but not the left.
Swisher initially felt discomfort in the arm two weeks ago. It surfaced Wednesday evening but only bothers him batting left-handed. Throwing isn’t a problem.
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Golson was called up from Triple-A Scranton on Wednesday to provide outfield depth. He logged his first big-league hit in the ninth inning of the second game and made his first start of the season yesterday.
Miranda was officially called up yesterday, two days after arriving at the team hotel.
Unless Miranda fails miserably, expect him to get a lot of DH at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
Infielder Mike Russo was optioned to Scranton to make room for Miranda.
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Derek Jeter’s leadoff infield single halted a 0-for-16 slump.
Andy Pettitte threw a short bullpen session yesterday. He is slated to start Saturday against the Twins. It will be Pettitte’s first action since May 5 when he left a game against the Orioles after five innings and 77 pitches with inflammation in the left elbow.
Sergio Mitre is tentatively scheduled to start Sunday, but Girardi wouldn’t put it in pen because he might need the right-hander for long relief tonight or tomorrow.
If Mitre is used enough that he can’t pitch Sunday, Girardi could pitch Javier Vazquez or Phil Hughes short although he said, “I am leaning toward not doing that.”
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Ivan Nova made his major-league debut and threw two scoreless innings of relief.
Alfredo Aceves, who is on the shelf with what he called a bulging disc in the lower back, is to be examined by Ahmad today at the Stadium. Before leaving the team, the reliever said an MRI was on the schedule.
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Curtis Granderson, who hasn’t played since May 1 because of a left groin strain, could begin running exercises this weekend.
Chan Ho Park will throw an inning for Scranton tonight. It will be the reliever’s second rehab outing, and if it goes OK he could be activated for Sunday’s game against the Twins. Park has been out since April 16 with a right hamstring strain.