TAMPA — Valuable Yankees utility infielder Eduardo Nunez won’t pick up a bat until at least Saturday.
“We will continue to give him more days off,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of Nunez, who hasn’t played since March 5 because of a bruised right hand and was scratched during batting practice for Tuesday night’s 1-0 loss to the Red Sox at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “The tests all came back negative, but when you get hit there it’s still sore. We might give him three whole days off, keep increasing it and see when we get him back.’’
Nunez left a game against the Phillies on March 5 with a bruised right hand after getting hit by a pitch. X-rays that day were negative and a CAT scan taken days later didn’t show a broken or fractured bone.
“I think we are dealing with a bruise, and when you hit you have to have that snap,’’ Girardi said. “I think that affects it. I don’t think long-term we are going to miss him for a lot of time, but I would like to get him back.’’
Nunez is more than an ordinary backup infielder. On many teams he would be the starting shortstop, and he can play second and third. Blessed with a live body and a strong swing, Nunez batted .265 in 112 games last year.
Because Girardi has often talked about resting Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, having Nunez is an important ingredient to keeping Rodriguez and Jeter fresh. Because Opening Day is April 6, there is enough time for Nunez to be ready if the bruise doesn’t linger.
“You would think you could get him enough playing time,’’ Girardi said. “The great thing about minor league games is you can get 10 at-bats in one day.’’
george.king@nypost.com