TAMPA — Brendan Ryan’s availability for Opening Day grew more doubtful Friday when an MRI exam on his back revealed a pinched nerve.
Ryan, signed to a two-year deal by the Yankees this offseason to serve as Derek Jeter’s backup at shortstop, is expected to receive a cortisone shot, but with just eight spring training at bats so far, it’s unlikely he’ll see enough action at the plate to be ready when the season opens in Houston on April 1.
“If he’s not ready by Tuesday, then it really becomes in jeopardy,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s still not really built up a lot.”
General manager Brian Cashman said the team would look within to replace Ryan, with Eduardo Nunez, Dean Anna and Yangervis Solarte all able to play short.
If Ryan is unable to go, Girardi insisted Jeter’s playing time would not be affected.
“I can’t let someone’s playing time depend on if there’s an injury or not to someone else,” Girardi said. “We still have to adjust to that player.”
Jeter got a scare in the first inning of Friday’s 4-0 win over Pittsburgh when he fouled two balls off his left foot in the first inning.
He stayed in the game and iced it afterward, insisting he was fine.
“It’s not the first time,” Jeter said, who is now 5-for-41 this spring after going hitless again.
“Has it taken longer than I thought [to get going offensively]? Probably,” Jeter said. “But then again, I haven’t played in a while.”
With the Yankees scheduled to start the season with games on 13 consecutive days, Jeter will need some time off, but Girardi doesn’t have a road map for when the 39-year-old will get it.
“I’ve told Derek all along there is no magic number,” Girardi said. “It depends on how I feel he’s moving and our communication if he needs a day.”
Cashman added other infielders, including Scott Sizemore, to try to avoid the infield misadventures the Yankees went through a year ago.
“I think we have very good [infield] depth,” Girardi said. “And it could possibly come into play.”
Jacoby Ellsbury, who underwent an MRI exam Thursday on his tight right calf, was able to take batting practice and take part in conditioning drills Friday.
Despite the fact the injury-prone center fielder hasn’t been able to shake the calf tightness, Cashman insisted he isn’t “worried about it.”
Ellsbury won’t make the trip to Fort Myers, Fla., Saturday when the Yankees play the Twins, and he’ll still need to run before he would be able to get back on the field. Tuesday is the target day, according to Girardi. Cashman didn’t rule out the possibility of Ellsbury playing in minor league games.
Friday’s lineup featured Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira, Brian McCann and Alfonso Soriano hitting third through sixth. Girardi said it’s an order he could use during the regular season.
Hiroki Kuroda hasn’t gotten a chance to watch Masahiro Tanaka much this spring, but from what he has seen, he believes the right-hander will be able to succeed when the regular season starts.
“He’s shown a lot of command and he looks calm,” Kuroda said through a translator. “There’s no reason he won’t be able to pitch well.”