With the possibility Mark Teixeira’s surgically repaired right wrist is going to need rest throughout the season and no experienced backup first baseman on the roster, Hal Steinbrenner was asked if the Yankees were interested in signing free agent DH/first baseman Kendry Morales.
“We never say never, we always look at all possibilities,’’ Steinbrenner told The Post Thursday. “Right now we are doing it from within and I think Tex is going to be okay, but anything is possible.’’
Teixeira, who hasn’t played since Sunday, was examined Thursday by Dr. Keith Raskin, who performed surgery on the wrist last year. The first baseman was told the reason the hinge was sore because of inflammation, not structural damage.
“Not surprised, we thought it was inflammation and he is day-to-day,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said.
Manager said Joe Girardi started Kelly Johnson and Brian McCann in the three games at first against the Cardinals and has used Brendan Ryan late in games.
The switch-hitting Morales turned down a $14.3 million qualifying offer from the Mariners to test the free agent waters after hitting .277 with 23 homers, 80 RBIs and an OPS of .785.
Any team signing Morales before the draft ends June 7 will lose a draft pick. If Morales, 31 next month, is signed after the draft his new club won’t lose a pick.
“As you would expect the need for switch-hitters is there,’’ said Scott Boras, Morales’ agent. “And he can play first base.’’
While Cashman had a clear view of what to expect from Teixeira’s ultrasound treatment, he remains in the dark about the bone spur in Carlos Beltran’s right elbow.
“It’s not fair to expect anything either way,’’ Cashman said about the switch-hitting outfielder who hasn’t played since May 12.
Beltran graduated from dry swings to a 25-pitch tee and toss activity Thursday at Yankee Stadium with hitting coach Kevin Long watching.
“He will recover or he won’t but Kevin said [Beltran] was full bore and he was excited,” Cashman said.
The plan is for Beltran to repeat the exercise Friday if the elbow allows it.
“Hopefully, he graduates to cage work and play in rehab games,’’ Cashman said.
If the cortisone medication Beltran is using doesn’t work he likely will face surgery that could sideline him for 10 weeks.
Lowering your time from home to first by .20 seconds isn’t much but when you are 39 and missed most of last season with lower leg issues that included a surgically repaired left ankle, it’s an indicator the legs are getting stronger.
Earlier this season, scouts were clocking Derek Jeter at 4.52 seconds from home to first. Tuesday in St. Louis a scout timed him at 4.32. The major league average is 4.3.
After Girardi didn’t start Jeter Wednesday night against the Cardinals, expect him back in the lineup Friday night when the Yankees open a three-game series against the Twins at Yankee Stadium. It will be the first of 17 straight days of games for the Yankees.