MLB

With Teixeira, Yankees GM operating on no-surgery plan

TAMPA — General manager Brian Cashman has not been told by the Yankees medical staff that Mark Teixeira’s strained right wrist might require surgery.

Yet because Toronto’s Mark DeRosa and Jose Bautista needed surgery to repair tendons in the same area, Teixeira was instructed by the doctors to rest for four weeks or surgery could be in play.

“They have never mentioned surgery,’’ Cashman said after Saturday’s 2-1 exhibition loss to the Braves at Steinbrenner Field. “I guess if his rehab goes badly … but they never mentioned it.”

DeRosa had a torn sheath, something Cashman says Teixeira doesn’t have.

“The sheath is fine,’’ said Cashman, who estimates the switch-hitting first baseman will return in mid-May if the rehab goes well.

Cashman isn’t optimistic about making a deal to acquire a corner infielder to replace Teixeira even though the in-house candidates at first base — Dan Johnson and Juan Rivera — don’t instill a lot of confidence.

PHOTOS: YANKEES SPRING TRAINING

Prior to yesterday’s game, infield coach Mick Kelleher was working with Ronnier Mustelier at third base. Mustelier, a 28-year-old Cuban who was a non-roster invite to spring training, started his career at third but was moved to the outfield. He delivered a pinch-hit triple in the seventh and remained in the game at third.

The Yankees like Mustelier’s bat (.375, 6-for-16) but there are questions about his defense. If Mustelier shows the Yankees enough, he could play third with Kevin Youkilis shifting from third to first.

* David Robertson, David Aardsma and Phil Hughes came through bullpen sessions without problems.

Robertson (arm) and Aardsma (groin) threw full bullpens and Hughes moved from flat ground to the mound for 10 pitches. He will increase that workload today in the bullpen.

“It was all good news — maybe the worm has turned,’’ said manager Joe Girardi, who also lost Teixeira and left fielder Curtis Granderson in the first 11 days of the exhibition season.

* The Yankees fell to 3-11 with the loss, but Jose Ramirez continues to impress. The 23-year-old right-hander hurled four scoreless innings, allowing a hit and fanning four. Ramirez has not allowed a run in nine innings over three games (two starts).

“He is throwing strikes and has an outstanding change and his slider is a work in progress,’’ Girardi said. “He spots his fastball with velocity. He has had an outstanding spring.’’

Because he has not pitched above Single-A and the Yankees have six starters for five spots if Hughes is healthy, Ramirez has no chance of making the team out of spring training. But it’s not out of the question he could be in the big leagues this season.

* Mariano Rivera’s next outing likely will come Wednesday against the Phillies. One thing is certain: Rivera, who rarely travels in spring training, won’t pitch Tuesday in Port Charlotte.