KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A packed Yankees disabled list is preparing to welcome another injured body.
When Eduardo Nunez reported to Kauffman Stadium Saturday, he informed the training staff he felt discomfort in the left rib cage after taking swings in the indoor cage Friday night.
So, with the Yankees faced with a makeup doubleheader in Cleveland tomorrow, Joe Girardi certainly sounded like a manager looking for an extra infielder which would mean Nunez goes on the shelf.
The Yankees get to add an extra player for the doubleheader, but Girardi said they are going to use that move for a pitcher with the leading candidate being Ivan Nova off the DL.
“We are going to have to see. We are going into a doubleheader and we are going to need extra infielders,’’ said Girardi who was forced to use left fielder Vernon Wells at third for an inning in Colorado because Nunez hasn’t been able to play since leaving last Sunday’s game. “We are going to need another player if he can’t go.’’
Candidates to replace Nunez, who would be the 11th Yankee on the DL, was down. Candidates to take Nunez’s roster spot include recently acquired shortstop Alberto Gonzalez and infielder Gil Velazquez, who are both on the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre roster. David Adams, who has played 20 games at third at Triple A, isn’t eligible to be recalled until May 15.
“They shut me down, they said I am not ready yet,’’ Nunez said before the Yankees’ 3-2 win over the Royals. “I am disappointed but there is nothing I can do.’’
Asked if tests are planned, Nunez said, “Not yet.’’
* As he has done on each road stop, Mariano Rivera met with a group of baseball fans yesterday at Kauffman Stadium to share his story and listen to their life stories.
Rivera consoled a family who lost a son last summer, thanked the audience for loving baseball even if they weren’t Yankees fans and was impressed with a young man’s story of meeting many amazing people through his interest in the game.
When Rivera was asked what Yankee team had the best chemistry, the all-time saves leader didn’t hesitate.
“One team, 1998, we had tremendous chemistry on that team,’’ Rivera said. “There was a closeness that nothing could separate. I have never been on a team like that, 1996, 1999, 2000 and even 2001 … but ’98 was special. Our chemistry reflected how we played the game. We felt like we always had a chance to win the game. We were so confident.’’
Earlier in the day, Rivera was filmed by a crew working on an MLB documentary on the warning track in left-center field where he suffered a serious knee injury last May. He re-enacted the motions he made that day shagging fly balls.
* Joba Chamberlain will throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday, and if that goes well, he will pitch for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Toledo on Tuesday. Should that go well, the reliever could come off the DL Thursday.
* Asked if Curtis Granderson could come off the DL Tuesday, when the Yankees open a six-game homestand with a game against the Mariners, Girardi didn’t dismiss the possibility.|
“I don’t know. He is getting at-bats under his belt and I know he is getting better,’’ Girardi said of the outfielder who went 2-for-4 with an RBI as the DH for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It was Granderson’s third game on a minor league rehab assignment. “But I don’t want to put a date on [a return]. I know everyone wants a date. The date for me is when he says he is ready.’’
* According to Girardi, Mark Teixeira “hit again and felt good’’ and Kevin Youkilis did “rotation exercises.’’ Girardi also said Alex Rodriguez hit off a tee and did some light jogging, and he thought Derek Jeter rode an exercise bike and that he was “going to see the doctor soon.’’ Rodriguez and Jeter aren’t expected back before the All Star break (July 15-18).
* Considering he is 43 and missed the final five months of last season with a torn ACL in his right knee, Rivera starting the season 14-for-14 in save chances is impressive. Nevertheless baseball’s all-time saves leader has a way to go to match the best start to a season. In 2008, Rivera converted his first 28 chances.