MLB

Congested Teixeira takes a breather

The Yankees still haven’t figured out how to get Mark Teixeira better.

They’re hoping at least one game off will help clear up the severely inflamed bronchial airways that have bothered him all season.

Teixeira was held out of last night’s 4-0 victory over the Reds after suffering another coughing fit during the sixth inning of Thursday’s loss in Toronto. After Teixeira’s numerous visits to doctors who prescribed various medications that haven’t led to any improvement, manager Joe Girardi said he’s “a little bit” concerned.

“This is something you would expect would have went away now,” Girardi said. “They’ve tried different ideas that haven’t worked. I’d love to see it go away because it can’t be a comfortable day for him.”

Teixeira is hitting just .228 and has been worse with runners in scoring position (.205, 9-for-44).

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“It seems like there’s been so much focus on [Teixeira] and what he’s done with runners in scoring position,” Girardi said. “There’s about five or six other guys [that are also struggling] and if all the other guys were doing what they were supposed to be doing, we wouldn’t be focused on [Teixeira].”

Girardi said he isn’t sure if Teixeira will return to the lineup today.

“We’re trying to get him healthy,” said the manager, adding he didn’t think more tests were scheduled. “This is a job where you can’t often call in sick. You have to be really sick to get a day off.”

* Ivan Nova is set to start today after not suffering any setbacks from the right ankle he injured fielding a comebacker during his last start Monday in Baltimore.

“I feel much better,” Nova said. “I still feel it a little bit. I’m not 100 percent.”

But Nova said he is confident, after a 25-pitch bullpen session and practice fielding comebackers on Thursday, he won’t be affected today.

“I’m ready,” he said. “I don’t want to miss any starts.”

Girardi said as long as Nova feels OK warming up before today’s game, the righty will be on the mound.

“The only thing that could change is if he feels it [today] and it was bothersome,” Girardi said.

* Girardi said Mariano Rivera still is waiting to get the go-ahead for surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee.

”I know they want to make sure that [the knee’s] strong and it’s flexible,” Girardi said. “My assumption is that he’ll continue to see the doctors, and when they say it’s time, it’s time. I don’t think he’ll be on any waiting lists.”